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
The cross symbolizes a cosmic as well as historic truth. Love conquers the world, but its victory is not an easy one.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Love has the power to overcome challenges, but achieving this victory requires effort and perseverance.
In this quote, Reinhold Niebuhr suggests that love is a fundamental and transcendent force in the universe that shapes both history and our personal lives. However, he acknowledges that while love ultimately prevails, the journey to this victory is fraught with struggles and difficulties, emphasizing the importance of resilience in our pursuit of love.
Themes
LoveVictoryStruggleTruthCosmic
In practice
Example use cases
During a wedding speech, one could quote this to emphasize the challenges that love can overcome.
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
All you earnest young men out to save the world. . . please, have a laugh.
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
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If I stopped loving Him, I would cease to believe in His love. If I loved God, then I would believe in His love for me. It's not enough to need it. We have to love first, and I don't know how. But I need it, how I need it.
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'Lord you know that I love you...Lord, you know that I love you' (Jn 21:15-17). The Eucharist is, in a certain way, the culminating point of this answer. I wish to repeat it together with the whole Church to Him, who manifested His love by means of the Sacrament of His Body and Blood, remaining with us 'to the close of the age'
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