The 71 best famous phrases of Martin Luther
Martin Luther (his original name from him was Martin Luder, who later changed to Martin Luther), he was a German Catholic theologian and friar who lived between 1483 and 1546.
This Augustinian friar promoted the religious reform in Germany. In his ideas and reflections the Protestant Reformation was inspired and started a current of great importance within the Church: Lutheranism.
- It may interest you: "The 40 best religious phrases"
Phrases and reflections of Martin Luther
Martin Luther asked to return the Church to the sacred teachings of the Bible. His ideas were listened to with great attention and there was a restructuring in the different ecclesiastical estates and institutions in Europe.
The life and work of Martin Luther surpasses his contributions in the religious sphere. Studied in the Philosophy faculties of half the world, his contribution to language and universal thought are remarkable.
In today's article we are going to know the 71 best phrases of Martin Luther.
1. He who does not like wine, woman or song, will be a fool all his life.
Curious famous quote coming from a Catholic friar.
2. Whoever wants to estimate his doctrine, faith, and confession as upright and true, cannot remain in the same stable with error or adhere to false doctrine... A teacher who remains mute when error is taught, and yet pretends to be a teacher of truth, is worse than a blatant fanatic and with his hypocrisy does more harm than a heretic... They don't want to offend anyone, or say a word for Christ, or fight the devil and the world.
About faith and how each person contributes to fostering it.
3. Thought is tax-free.
Of the few things that are free.
4. And while I slept or drank Wittenberg beer with my friends Philip and Amsdorf, the Word she weakened the papacy so grandly that no prince or emperor succeeded in causing them so many defeats. I did nothing: the Word did everything.
A way of giving credence to the divine will.
5. But since the bride of the devil, Reason, that beautiful prostitute, intervenes and it is believed that she is wise, and that what she says, what she thinks, comes from the Holy Spirit, who can help us, then? Not the judges, not the doctors, no king or emperor, because [Reason] is the devil's greatest whore.
A philosophical phrase that caused controversy for centuries.
6. The faculty of hearing is a sensitive thing: very soon it is satiated and in a short time it becomes tired and bored.
A sense that must be pampered and nurtured with gusto.
7. The humility of hypocrites is the greatest and loftiest of pride.
A great paradox about proud and self-centered personality.
8. In the first place, we must set fire to their synagogues or schools and bury and cover with dirt everything that is not burned, so that no man will see stone or ash from them again. This is to be done in honor of Our Lord and Christendom, so that God sees that we are Christians and that we do not knowingly condone or tolerate such lies, curses, and blasphemies against his Son and his Christians.
A violent reaction towards the Jews.
9. Since His Serene Majesty and His Highnesses demand from me a simple, clear and precise answer, I am going to give it, and it is this: I cannot submit my faith or pope or councils, because it is as clear as daylight that they have fallen into error many times as well as many contradictions with themselves themselves. Therefore, if he is not convinced with biblical testimonies, or with obvious reasons, and if I am not persuaded with the same texts that I have quoted, and if they do not subject my conscience to the Word of God, I cannot and do not want to retract anything, because it is not worthy of a Christian to speak against his awareness. Here I am; I cannot do it otherwise. God help me! Amen!
Advocating for a more horizontal Church and with a more direct relationship with God. Ideas that would thrive for years to come.
10. I made a covenant with God: may He not send me visions, or dreams, not even angels. I am satisfied with the gift of the Holy Scriptures, which give me abundant instruction and everything that I need to know both for this life and for what is to come.
A life that follows the path marked by the sacred scriptures.
11. The heart of a man is a mill wheel that works without ceasing; if you grind nothing, you run the risk that it will crush itself.
Adventure is what makes a man progress and feel alive.
12. War is the greatest plague that afflicts humanity; destroy religion, destroy nations, destroy families. It is the worst of evils.
A pacifist phrase from Luther.
13. Please leave my name alone. Don't call yourself 'Lutherans', but Christians. Who is Luther?; my doctrine is not mine. I have not been crucified by anyone... How, then, does it benefit me, a miserable bag of dust and ashes, to give my name to the children of Christ? Cease, my dear friends, to cling to these names of parties and distinctions; out all of them, and let us call ourselves only Christians, according to the one from whom our doctrine comes.
A famous quote full of humility about his figure and his influence within the Catholicism of the time.
14. Lord Jesus. You are my righteousness just as I am your sin. You have taken over You all that I am and you have given and covered me with all that You are. You took on You what You are not and gave me what I am not.
A few words of gratitude and admiration for the son of God.
15. Medicine makes sick; sad mathematics; and theology, sinful people.
Each discipline can generate aberrations among those who study them.
16. What is God for Christians? A great castle, a powerful shield, a good weapon.
A metaphor to interpret the weight of God among believers.
17. Therefore we receive spiritual blessings by the grace of a third party and not by our own efforts. Two opposing ideas cannot both be true: that grace is so inexpensive that anyone anywhere can earn it; and at the same time, grace is so precious that we can only obtain it through the merits of one man: Jesus Christ.
A sincere compliment to the figure of Jesus Christ.
18. Nature is only insofar as God created it. That is why it is so perfect.
One of those phrases about nature that automatically connects us with the environment.
19. Even if he knew that tomorrow the world would fall apart, I would still plant my apple tree.
One of the most remembered phrases of Martin Luther.
20. We are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone.
Discipline, love for others and other ingredients cannot be lacking.
21. So when the devil throws your sins in your face and declares that you deserve death and hell, tell him this: "I admit that I deserve death and hell, so what? Because I know the One who suffered and made satisfaction in my name. His name from him is Jesus Christ, Son of God, and where He is there, I will also be! "
A plea by Luther to face the final destiny.
22. If you want to change the world, take your pen and write.
Writing is the art of transcending consciences.
23. My heart, which is so overflowing, has often been comforted and refreshed by music when he is sick and tired.
A phrase for music lovers, one of the most remembered by Martin Luther.
24. The dog is the most faithful of animals and he would be greatly appreciated if he were not so common. Our Lord God has made his best gifts too common.
A phrase by Luther that shows his love for animals.
25. I have so much to do that I will spend the first three hours in prayer.
Sometimes, overwork can lead us to only one solution: pray.
26. Therefore, this life is not justice, but growth in righteousness, not health, but healing, not being but being, not rest, but exercise. We are not yet what we will be, but we are growing towards it, the process is not finished yet, but it is happening, this is not the end, but it is the way. All are still not shining in glory, but everything is being purified.
Discipline and solemnity above all.
27. True humility does not know that it is humble. If he did, he would be proud of the contemplation of such fine virtue.
A good consideration on this great quality.
28. Everything that is done in this world is done by hope.
Hope and longing for a better future.
29. You have both humor and faith.
Curious phrase drawing an equivalence between these two features.
30. Be a sinner and sin boldly, but believe and rejoice in Christ even more boldly.
From the point of view of someone who believes in a religion, no one is free from blemish, despite their link with the divine.
31. Beer is made by men, wine by God.
Curious belief about the origins of these famous alcoholic beverages.
32. I fear that the schools will try the very gates of hell, unless they diligently work to explain the Holy Scriptures and to engrave them on the hearts of the youth.
These statements would be seen today as a defense of the indoctrination of children, but in their historical context they were normal.
33. Feelings come and feelings go And feelings are deceptive.
Martin Luther invites us not to let ourselves be carried away by feelings.
34. I will trust in the unchanging Word of God Until the soul and the body are cut off, because, although all things will pass away, his word must remain forever.
The concept of the divine is usually associated with that of eternity.
35. There have never been, nor are there now, too many good books.
An insatiable taste for literature.
36. Let the wife make her husband happy to come home and let him make her sad to see him go.
Once again, expressing opinions based on the division of gender roles.
37. God writes the gospel not just in the Bible, but in trees, flowers, clouds, and stars.
Each piece of the earth contains a bit of divine essence, according to Luther.
38. Where the battle rages, the soldier's loyalty is demonstrated.
It is precisely when the context is dangerous and harsh that the true character of each person flourishes.
39. You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say.
It is possible to sin by commission of something that is wrong, or by omission of a responsibility.
40. Every time the devil harasses you, seek the company of men or drink more, or joke and talk nonsense, or do something happier Sometimes we have to drink more, have fun, recreate ourselves and even sin a little to annoy the devil, so that we do not let him enter the room to disturb our consciences. When the devil tells you: don't drink, answer him: I'll drink.
A way of seeing sin that departs from Christian orthodoxy.
41. I have kept many things in my hands, and I have lost them all, but everything that I have put in the hands of God, I still have.
Religion seen as a way to connect to metaphysical, otherworldly ideals.
42. Who drinks beer, rushes to sleep, sleeps a lot, does not sin, who does not sin, enters heaven, so let's drink beer!
An ironic phrase to highlight this plot shortcut.
43. I cannot choose but to adhere to the word of God, which has possession of my conscience. I cannot, I will not even make any retraction, as it is neither safe nor honest. to act against conscience! I can't do anything else, so help me God, Amen.
Martin Luther saw himself as a servant of the Christian god.
44. There are two days on my calendar: This day and that day.
Emphasizing the present moment and the immediate future.
45. The Christian shoemaker fulfills his duty not by putting small crosses on shoes, but by making good shoes, because God is interested in good craftsmanship.
The importance of the symbolism of the cross meant that it was not considered in bad taste to use it in a component of the wardrobe in contact with the ground.
46. Although it is very easy to marry a wife, it is very difficult to keep her together with children and home. Consequently, no one notices this faith of Jacob. In fact, many hate fertility in a wife for the sole reason that the children must be supported and educated. Because this is what they commonly say: 'Why should I marry a wife when I am a beggar and a beggar? I would rather carry only the burden of poverty and not burden myself with misery and need. "But this guilt is unfairly linked to marriage and fertility. In fact, you are blaming your unbelief for mistrusting God's goodness, and you are causing further misery by disparaging God's blessing. Because if you had confidence in God's grace and promises, you would undoubtedly be supported. But since they don't wait on the Lord, they will never prosper.
Here you can see the mentality of the time, inclined to give great importance to the gender roles.
47. A person who... he does not consider music as a wonderful creation of God, he must be a true nut and does not deserve to be called a human being; he should be allowed to hear nothing but the braying of donkeys and the growling of pigs.
An example of the inflammatory statements of this friar.
48. The devil, the creator of sad anguish and restless problems, flees before the sound of music almost as much as before the Word of God... Music is a gift and a grace of God, not an invention of men. Therefore, he casts out the devil and makes people happy. Then one forgets all anger, impurity and other devices.
This theologian attributed a divine essence to music.
49. Your High Majesty and your Lordships seek a simple answer; I will give it to you this way, neither with horns nor without teeth. Unless you are convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or for a clear reason (since I trust neither the Pope nor the councils, since it is well known that they have often been mistaken and contradicted), I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not retract anything, as it is neither safe nor correct to go against conscience.
A declaration of intent that in turn sums up well the way in which Lutheranism was a dissent from Catholicism at the time.
50. An unjust law, ain't no law at all
Another of Luther's aphorisms, this time talking about the nature of laws and their purpose.
51. All who call on God with true faith, sincerely from the heart, will certainly be heard, and will receive what they asked for and desired.
A way of thinking that focuses on intentions.
52. I don't know how God guides me, but I know my Guide well.
A reference to the nonsense of trying to understand everything that God does, very typical in Christianity.
53. All the cunning of the devil is exerted in trying to get the word out of us
Moving away from reasoning and rational communication brings us closer to the Lutheran notion of sin.
54. There is no friendlier and more charming relationship, fellowship, or company than a good marriage.
Marriage has always been important to the different branches of Christianity.
55. Peace if possible. Truth at all costs.
A very idealistic view of reality.
56. One book is enough, but a thousand books is not too many!
It never hurts to keep learning.
57. God doesn't need your good works, but your neighbor does.
A morality based on doing good in the material world.
58. Beside the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world.
A personal opinion about the importance of music.
59. The heart overflows with joy, and it leaps and dances for the joy it has found in God. In this experience, the Holy Spirit is active, and he has taught us in the blink of an eye the deep secret of joy. You will have as much joy and laughter in life as you will have faith in God.
Another of the descriptions about the sensations associated with the religious experience.
60. They are trying to turn me into a fixed star. I am an irregular planet.
Nobody has ideas as clear and fixed as it seems from the outside.
61. Here I am; I can not to do other thing.
Simple aphorism that talks about the way in which Luther lived what he did as a task to which he was predestined.
62. Better to think of the church in the brewery than to think of the church brewery.
One of Luther's phrases that demystifies the concept of the church.
63. In the midst of affliction that He counsels, strengthens, confirms, nurtures and favors us... More about, when we have repented, the sins as well as the punishments instantly remit. In the same way, parents must handle their children.
A parenting lesson based on the principle of justice.
64. The best way to cast out the devil, if he does not give in to the texts of Scripture, is to mock and outwit him, as he cannot bear contempt.
Not taking seriously what is associated with evil can cause you to lose its power.
65. The sin beneath all our sins is trusting the serpent's lie that we cannot trust the love and grace of Christ and must take matters into our own hands.
A reference to original sin.
66. Every man must do two things alone; he must make his own belief and his own death ...
A vision of religiosity based on the individual.
67. A Christian is a lord perfectly free from everything, subject to none. A Christian is a perfectly obedient servant of all, subject to everything, subject to everything.
An apparent contradiction that reveals the fact that each believer answers before God.
68. Many pass as saints on earth whose souls are in hell.
The contrast can lead us to overvalue people.
69. Faith must trample all reason, sense and understanding.
A very passionate view of the nature of faith.
70. Each issue, if done well, draws the attention of the whole person.
In practically any activity you can stand out.
71. The soul can do without everything except the word of God, without which none of its desires are provided.
In the case of Martin Luther, it is normal that he conferred a very important role on religion.