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
God, give me grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of accepting what we cannot change with tranquility and grace.
Reinhold Niebuhr's quote is a powerful reminder of the necessity to embrace acceptance when faced with unchangeable circumstances. It speaks to the human experience of grappling with frustration and sorrow over things beyond our control, urging us instead to find peace and resilience in our reactions. By asking for grace, it highlights the spiritual or emotional strength required to let go and move forward in life.
Themes
AcceptanceSerenityChangeGraceResilience
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about overcoming challenges, one might say, 'Remember, as Niebuhr said, to ask for the grace to accept the things we cannot change.'
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 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
Similar quotes
Littera scripta manet - 'The written word will remain'. That's true, but it won't be that much comfort to me.
Christopher HitchensRead
Two things are bad for the heart - running up stairs and running down people.
Bernard BaruchRead
Be more interested in character than reputation
John WoodenRead
I was looking in the mirror the other day and I realized I haven't changed much since I was in my twenties. The only difference is I look a whole lot older now.
George CarlinRead
However varied you try to make your work, you still bump up against the end of you. You keep knocking into a wall, and the wall is your own skull. But when you adapt somebody's work, it's like a door into somewhere else. It feels like a holiday from myself.
Nick HornbyRead
And which I take notice of here, to put those discontented people in mind of it, who cannot enjoy comfortably what God has given them, because they see and covet something that he has not given them. All our discontents about what we want appeared to me to spring from the want of thankfulness for what we have.
Daniel DefoeRead