Prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance. It is laying hold of His willingness.
Martin LutherRead
Temptations, of course, cannot be avoided, but because we cannot prevent the birds from flying over our heads, there is no need that we should let them nest in our hair.
Interpretation
What this quote means
We cannot control temptations, but we can control how we respond to them.
This quote by Martin Luther illustrates the idea that while temptations and undesirable thoughts are inevitable parts of life, we have the power to choose not to let them take root in our lives. Just as we cannot stop birds from flying overhead, we cannot prevent tempting thoughts from entering our minds; however, allowing those thoughts to settle and influence our actions is entirely in our control.
Themes
TemptationControlChoicesResilienceWisdom
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech about overcoming challenges and practicing self-discipline.
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
Similar quotes
If you light a lantern for another, it will also brighten your own way
NichirenRead
For my victory over Capablanca I am indebted primarily to my superiority in the field of psychology. Capablanca played, relying almost exclusively on his rich intuitive talent. But for the chess struggle nowadays one needs a subtle knowledge of human nature, an understanding of the opponent's psychology.
Alexander AlekhineRead
Be less curious about people and more curious about ideas.
Marie CurieRead
There is more than one way to burn a book. And the world is full of people running about with lit matches.
Ray BradburyRead
I tend to feel if people say they're going to do something, they will, if given the chance.
Margaret AtwoodRead
The state of self-realization, as we call it, is not attaining something new or reaching some goal which is far away, but simply being that which you always are and which you always have been.
Ramana MaharshiRead