“I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I can do no other.” – Martin Luther Quotes
When Martin Luther made this statement in 1521, he sparked a revolution that would change the course of history. His words continue to resonate centuries later, serving as an inspiring reminder of the power of faith.
In honor of the anniversary of Luther’s 95 Theses, we’ve compiled a list of 39 quotes from the great reformer about faith, God, and living a meaningful life. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Luther or are just discovering his work, these quotes are sure to give you plenty to think about.
I hope you enjoy these Martin Luther quotes…
1) “A Christian is never in a state of completion but always in a process of becoming.”
2) “Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul; it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us.”
3) “Beer is made by men, wine by God.”
4) “We cannot attain to the understanding of Scripture either by study or by the intellect. Your first duty is to begin by prayer. Entreat the Lord to grant you, of His great mercy, the true understanding of His Word. There is no other interpreter of the Word of God than the Author of this Word, as He Himself has said, ‘They shall be all taught of God’ (John 6:45). Hope for nothing from your own labors, from your own understanding: trust solely in God, and in the influence of His Spirit. Believe this on the word of a man who has experience.”
5) “God created the world out of nothing, and so long as we are nothing, He can make something out of us.”
6) “We do not become righteous by doing righteous deeds but, having been made righteous, we do righteous deeds.”
7) “God does not need your good works, but your neighbor does.”
8) “The dog is the most faithful of animals and would be much esteemed were it not so common. Our Lord God has made His greatest gifts the commonest.”
9) “Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.”
Martin Luther Quotes on Reformation, God, and the Gospel
10) “Every man must do two things alone; he must do his own believing and his own dying.”
11) “Everything that is done in this world is done by hope.”
12) “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.”
13) “For where God built a church, there the Devil would also build a chapel.”
14) “From the beginning of my Reformation I have asked God to send me neither dreams, nor visions, nor angels, but to give me the right understanding of His Word, the Holy Scriptures; for as long as I have God’s Word, I know that I am walking in His way and that I shall not fall into any error or delusion.”
15) “God writes the Gospel not in the Bible alone, but also on trees, and in the flowers and clouds and stars.”
16) “The gospel cannot be truly preached without offense and tumult.”
17) “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.”
18) “I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God. Amen.”
19) “If you want to change the world, pick up your pen and write.”
Martin Luther Quotes on Faith, Peace, and Love
20) “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.”
21) “Peace is more important than all justice; and peace was not made for the sake of justice, but justice for the sake of peace.”
22) “You have as much laughter as you have faith.”
23) “Lord Jesus, You are my righteousness; I am Your sin. You took on You what was mine, yet set on me what was Yours. You became what You were not, that I might become what I was not.”
24) “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.”
25) “My heart, which is so full to overflowing, has often been solaced and refreshed by music when sick and weary.”
26) “The truth of the matter is rather as Christ says, ‘He who is not with me is against me.’ He does not say, ‘He who is not with me is not against me either, but merely neutral.'”
27) “This life therefore is not righteousness, but growth in righteousness, not health, but healing, not being but becoming, not rest but exercise. We are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing toward it, the process is not yet finished, but it is going on, this is not the end, but it is the road. All does not yet gleam in glory, but all is being purified.”
28) “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.”
29) “True humility does not know that it is humble. If it did, it would be proud from the contemplation of so fine a virtue.”
Truth at all costs…
30) “Peace if possible; truth at all costs.”
31) “Pray like it all depends on God, then when you are done, go work like it all depends on you.”
32) “You should not believe your conscience and your feelings more than the Word which the Lord Who receives sinners preaches to you.”
33) “So when the devil throws your sins in your face and declares that you deserve death and hell, tell him this: ‘I admit that I deserve death and hell, what of it? For I know One who suffered and made satisfaction on my behalf. His name is Jesus Christ, Son of God, and where He is there I shall be also!'”
34) “The Bible is a remarkable fountain: The more one draws and drinks of it, the more it stimulates thirst.”
35) “Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason-I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other-my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise. God help me. Amen.”
36) “We need to hear the Gospel every day because we forget it every day.”
37) “Whoever drinks beer, he is quick to sleep; whoever sleeps long, does not sin; whoever does not sin, enters Heaven! Thus, let us drink beer!”
38) “The whole being of any Christian is faith and love. Faith brings the person to God, love brings the person to people.”
39) “You are not only responsible for what you say but also for what you do not say.”
Please share these quotes by Martin Luther with your friends and family.
