What harm would it do, if a man told a good strong lie for…
![“What harm would it do, if a man told a good strong lie for the sake of the good and for the Christian church? [...] a lie out of necessity, a useful lie, a helpful lie, such lies would not be against God, he would accept them.” quote by Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/fe2/martin-luther-106_accepting_what-harm-would-it-do-if-a-man-told-a-go_2919130.jpg)
“What harm would it do, if a man told a good strong lie for the sake of the good and for the Christian church? [...] a lie out of necessity, a useful lie, a helpful lie, such lies would not be against God, he would accept them.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Luther argues that a lie told for a good purpose, especially for the church, may be acceptable to God.
In simple terms: Good‑intentioned lies might be permissible.
Key Takeaway
Consider motives when judging honesty.
Themes
ethics
religion
truth
Mood
critical
theological
Type
philosophical
controversial
When to use this quote
- political rhetoric
- religious preaching
- personal dilemmas
Key Concepts
moral relativism
theological justification
Questions to Reflect On
- When is a lie justified for a higher cause?
- Can good intentions excuse dishonesty?
A Different Perspective
Truth is generally valued; lying can erode trust.