Monday, 11 February 2013

Wisdom from Niebuhr

Nothing worth doing is completed in our lifetime;
therefore, we are saved by hope.

Nothing true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history;
therefore, we are saved by faith.

Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone;
therefore, we are saved by love.

No virtuous act is quite as virtuous from the standpoint of our friend or foe as from our own;
therefore, we are saved by the final form of love, which is forgiveness.

Reinhold Niebuhr in 'The Irony of American History'
 
Image courtesy of digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
 

No comments:

Post a Comment