Portrait of Martin Luther

Martin Luther

Leader of the Protestant Reformation

Early Modern influential 281 sayings

Sayings by Martin Luther

A man must have a good mind, and a strong body, and a pure heart, to be a good preacher.

c. 1530s — Table Talk
General Unverifiable

The greatest blessing of all is to have a wife who is pious, God-fearing, and domestic.

c. 1530s — Table Talk
Relationships Unverifiable

I am not mad, but I am a prophet.

c. 1530s — Table Talk
Self-Deprecating Unverifiable

The more you read the Bible, the more you will love it; the more you love it, the more you will read it.

c. 1530s — Attributed
Relationships Unverifiable

Printing is the ultimate gift of God and the greatest one. Indeed, the invention of printing is the work of God.

c. 1530s — Table Talk
Food & Drink Unverifiable

A dog is a dog, and a cat is a cat, but a man is a man.

c. 1530s — Table Talk
General Unverifiable

The greatest good in marriage is the love of husband and wife.

c. 1530s — Table Talk
Relationships Unverifiable

I confess that I am a man, and that I have erred.

c. 1530s — Table Talk
Self-Deprecating Unverifiable

What does not kill me makes me stronger.

c. 1530s — Attributed, though more famously associated with Nietzsche. Luther's version is often paraphrased.
General Unverifiable

God created the world, and he gave it to man, and he said, 'Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it.'

c. 1530s — Table Talk (paraphrasing Genesis)
Food & Drink Unverifiable

I had no other intention than to purge the Lord's house of abominations.

1518 — Letter to Pope Leo X
General Unverifiable

I have to confess that I have no desire to be a martyr.

c. 1530s — Table Talk
Self-Deprecating Unverifiable

The true treasure of the church is the most holy gospel of the glory and grace of God.

1517 — Thesis 62 of the Ninety-five Theses
General Unverifiable

I am fed up with the world, and the world is fed up with me.

c. 1546 (shortly before his death) — Table Talk
Self-Deprecating Unverifiable

The stomach is the greatest lord on earth.

c. 1530s — Table Talk
Food & Drink Unverifiable

I am a worm and no man.

c. 1530s — Table Talk (referencing Psalm 22:6)
Self-Deprecating Unverifiable

It is a sin to be sad.

c. 1530s — Table Talk
General Unverifiable

The best way to worship God is to do your ordinary work well.

c. 1530s — Attributed
Work & Money Unverifiable

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

c. 1530s — Attributed
Life & Aging Unverifiable

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

c. 1530s — Attributed
General Unverifiable
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