Prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance. It is laying hold of His willingness.
Martin LutherRead
Many demons are in woods, in waters, in wildernesses, and in dark poolly places ready to hurt and prejudice people; some are also in the thick black clouds, which cause hail, lightning and thunder, and poison the air, the pastures and grounds.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the presence of malevolent forces in nature and the environment that can negatively impact humanity.
Martin Luther reflects on the lurking dangers that exist in natural elements such as woods, waters, and dark places. He metaphorically describes these 'demons' as not only physical dangers but also as embodiments of chaos and destruction, suggesting that the threats we face are often compounded by nature itself, which can harm our lives and surroundings.
Themes
DemonsNatureDangerEnvironmentChaos
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on environmental philosophy, one might use this quote to illustrate the unseen threats posed by nature.
More from Martin Luther
All quotes →Now if I believe in God's Son and remember that He became man, all creatures will appear a hundred times more beautiful to me than before. Then I will properly appreciate the sun, the moon, the stars, trees, apples, as I reflect that he is Lord over all things. ...God writes the Gospel, not in the Bible alone, but also on trees, and in the flowers and clouds and stars.
Martin LutherRead
It is the part of a Christian to take care of his own body for the very purpose that, by its soundness and wellbeing, he may be enabled to labour, and to acquire and preserve property, for the aid of those who are in want, that thus the stronger member may serve the weaker member, and we may be children of God, and busy for one another, bearing one another's burdens, and so fulfiling the law of Christ.
Martin LutherRead
Reason is the greatest enemy that faith has; it never comes to the aid of spiritual things, but more frequently than not struggles against the divine Word, treating with contempt all that emanates from God.
Martin LutherRead
We will win our freedom because the sacred heritage of our nation and the eternal will of God are embodied in our echoing demands.
Martin LutherRead
In a mouse we admire God's creation and craft work. The same may be said about flies.
Martin LutherRead
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