Religion is so frequently a source of confusion in political life, and so frequently dangerous to democracy, precisely because it introduces absolutes into the realm of relative values.
Reinhold NiebuhrRead
All you earnest young men out to save the world. . . please, have a laugh.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that while striving to make a difference is noble, it's equally important to maintain a sense of humor and joy.
Reinhold Niebuhr's quote reflects the idea that young individuals with strong ambitions to effect change in the world should not take themselves too seriously. It encourages a balance between earnest efforts for social change and the light-heartedness that comes from laughter, suggesting that humor can act as a vital counterbalance to the seriousness of social responsibility.
Themes
HumorChangeYouthResponsibilityLaughter
In practice
Example use cases
This quote is perfect for a motivational speech aimed at college students passionate about social justice.
More from Reinhold Niebuhr
All quotes βThe tendency to claim God as an ally for our partisan value and ends is the source of all religious fanaticism.
Reinhold NiebuhrRead
The mastery of nature is vainly believed to be an adequate substitute for self mastery.
Reinhold NiebuhrRead
Forgiveness is the final form of love.
Reinhold NiebuhrRead
God, give me grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed.
Reinhold NiebuhrRead
God, give us grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, courage to change the things which should be changed, and the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other. This prayer was first printed in a monthly bulletin of the Federal Council of Churches and has become enormously popular. It has been circulated in millions of copies.
Reinhold NiebuhrRead
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I was always very curious as a young man about why older writers who I met seemed so indifferent to what was going on, whereas I, in my 20s, was reading everything. Everything seemed important. But they were only interested in the writers they admired when they were young, and I didn't understand it then, but now, now I understand it.
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