Quotes & anectdotes from
the wise,
the foolish,
the courageous &
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.

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

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

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

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.

Forgiveness is God's command.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

Blood alone moves the wheels of history.

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

Pray, and let God worry.

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

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

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

Music is the art of the prophets and the gift of God.

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

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

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.

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

Nothing good ever comes of violence.

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

Reason is the enemy of faith.

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

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

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

Peace if possible, truth at all costs.

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

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