Dietrich Bonhoeffer Quotes & Sayings

“The essence of optimism is that it takes no account of the present, but it is a source of inspiration, of vitality and hope where others have resigned; it enables a man to hold his head high, to claim the future for himself and not to abandon it to his enemy.”

“The ultimate test of a moral society is the kind of world that it leaves to its children.”

“God's truth judges created things out of love, and Satan's truth judges them out of envy and hatred.”

“Only he who believes is obedient and only he who is obedient believes.”

“We must learn to regard people less in light of what they do or omit to do, and more in the light of what they suffer.”

“One act of obedience is better than one hundred sermons.”

“It is the characteristic excellence of the strong man that he can bring momentous issues to the fore and make a decision about them. The weak are always forced to decide between alternatives they have not chosen themselves.”

“If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction.”

“To endure the cross is not tragedy; it is the suffering which is the fruit of an exclusive allegiance to Jesus Christ.”

“Human love has little regard for the truth. It makes the truth relative, since nothing, not even the truth, must come between it and the beloved person.”