Quotes and anectdotes from the wise to the foolish, and the courageous to the drunk

Martin Luther Theologian

  • Gender: Male
  • Citizenship: Holy Roman Empire
  • Born: Nov 10, 1483
  • Died: Feb 18, 1546

Martin Luther, OSA, was a German friar, Catholic priest, professor of theology and seminal figure of the 16th-century movement in Christianity known later as the Protestant Reformation. Initially an Augustinian friar, Luther came to reject several teachings and practices of the Roman Catholic Church. He strongly disputed the claim that freedom from God's punishment for sin could be purchased with money. He confronted indulgence salesman Johann Tetzel, a Dominican friar, with his Ninety-Five Theses in 1517. His refusal to retract all of his writings at the demand of Pope Leo X in 1520 and the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V at the Diet of Worms in 1521 resulted in his excommunication by the Pope and condemnation as an outlaw by the Emperor.

Luther taught that salvation and subsequently eternity in heaven is not earned by good deeds but is received only as a free gift of God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ as redeemer from sin and subsequently eternity in Hell.

Blood alone moves the wheels of history. alone & history

For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver. nature

Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime. alone

The God of this world is riches, pleasure and pride. God

Faith is a living, daring confidence in God's grace, so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times. faith, God & life

For where God built a church, there the Devil would also build a chapel. God

Peace if possible, truth at all costs. peace & truth

Peace is more important than all justice and peace was not made for the sake of justice, but justice for the sake of peace. peace

Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree. inspirational

Nothing good ever comes of violence. good

I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess. God

God writes the Gospel not in the Bible alone, but also on trees, and in the flowers and clouds and stars. alone & God

I more fear what is within me than what comes from without. fear

Forgiveness is God's command. forgiveness & God

To gather with God's people in united adoration of the Father is as necessary to the Christian life as prayer. God, life & religion

Music is the art of the prophets and the gift of God. art, God & music

Be a sinner and sin strongly, but more strongly have faith and rejoice in Christ. faith

Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world. art, God & music

There is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship, communion or company than a good marriage. anniversary, good, marriage & relationship

Grant that I may not pray alone with the mouth help me that I may pray from the depths of my heart. alone

Faith must trample under foot all reason, sense, and understanding. faith

All who call on God in true faith, earnestly from the heart, will certainly be heard, and will receive what they have asked and desired. faith & God

Reason is the enemy of faith. faith

Everything that is done in the world is done by hope. hope

Pray, and let God worry. faith & God

Every man must do two things alone he must do his own believing and his own dying. alone

The man who has the will to undergo all labor may win to any good. good

Faith is permitting ourselves to be seized by the things we do not see. faith

Whatever your heart clings to and confides in, that is really your God. God

I am more afraid of my own heart than of the pope and all his cardinals. I have within me the great pope, Self. great

My heart, which is so full to overflowing, has often been solaced and refreshed by music when sick and weary. music

Let the wife make the husband glad to come home, and let him make her sorry to see him leave. home & marriage