Prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance. It is laying hold of His willingness.
Martin LutherRead
Temptations, of course, cannot be avoided, but because we cannot prevent the birds from flying over our heads, there is no need that we should let them nest in our hair.
Interpretation
What this quote means
We cannot control temptations, but we can control how we respond to them.
This quote by Martin Luther illustrates the idea that while temptations and undesirable thoughts are inevitable parts of life, we have the power to choose not to let them take root in our lives. Just as we cannot stop birds from flying overhead, we cannot prevent tempting thoughts from entering our minds; however, allowing those thoughts to settle and influence our actions is entirely in our control.
Themes
TemptationControlChoicesResilienceWisdom
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech about overcoming challenges and practicing self-discipline.
More from Martin Luther
All quotes →Now if I believe in God's Son and remember that He became man, all creatures will appear a hundred times more beautiful to me than before. Then I will properly appreciate the sun, the moon, the stars, trees, apples, as I reflect that he is Lord over all things. ...God writes the Gospel, not in the Bible alone, but also on trees, and in the flowers and clouds and stars.
Martin LutherRead
It is the part of a Christian to take care of his own body for the very purpose that, by its soundness and wellbeing, he may be enabled to labour, and to acquire and preserve property, for the aid of those who are in want, that thus the stronger member may serve the weaker member, and we may be children of God, and busy for one another, bearing one another's burdens, and so fulfiling the law of Christ.
Martin LutherRead
Reason is the greatest enemy that faith has; it never comes to the aid of spiritual things, but more frequently than not struggles against the divine Word, treating with contempt all that emanates from God.
Martin LutherRead
We will win our freedom because the sacred heritage of our nation and the eternal will of God are embodied in our echoing demands.
Martin LutherRead
In a mouse we admire God's creation and craft work. The same may be said about flies.
Martin LutherRead
Similar quotes
Imagine that the universe is a great spinning engine. You want to stay near the core of the thing - right in the hub of the wheel - not out at the edges where all the wild whirling takes place, where you can get frayed and crazy. The hub of calmness - that's your heart. That's where God lives within you. So stop looking for answers in the world. Just keep coming back to that center and you'll always find peace.
Elizabeth GilbertRead
Confidence and hope do more good than physic.
GalenRead
When I was fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have him around. When I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years. See what happens when you "know it all", at any stage of life? Farther down the track you may see clearly how certain personal opinions, held onto too tightly, could be fogging up the view, and providing incorrect insight. Prosperity is the best protector of principle.
Mark TwainRead
Writing is a strange and solitary activity. There are dispiriting times when you start working on the first few pages of a novel. Every day, you have the feeling you are on the wrong track. This creates a strong urge to go back and follow a different path. It is important not to give in to this urge but to keep going.
Patrick ModianoRead
Know the enemy and know yourself; in a hundred battles you will never peril.
Sun TzuRead
Nothing is more characteristically juvenile than contempt for juvenility. . . youth's characteristic chronological snobbery.
C. S. LewisRead