Listening Quotes by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

So the fool, as distinct from the scoundrel, is completely self- satisfied; in fact, he can easily become dangerous, as it does not take…

— Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Why do Christians sing when they are together? The reason is, quite simply, because in singing together it is possible for them to speak…

— Dietrich Bonhoeffer

What we shall need is not geniuses, or cynics, or misanthropes, or clever tacticians, but plain, honest, straghtforward men.

— Dietrich Bonhoeffer

...Gratitude transforms the torment of memory of good things now gone into silent joy. One bears what was lovely in the past not as…

— Dietrich Bonhoeffer

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

— Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Who can really be faithful in great things if he has not learned to be faithful in the things of daily life?

— Dietrich Bonhoeffer

“The church can only defend its own space by fighting, not for space, but for the salvation of the world. Otherwise the church becomes…

— Dietrich Bonhoeffer

There remains an experience of incomparable value . . . to see the great events of world history from below; from the perspective of…

— Dietrich Bonhoeffer

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

— Dietrich Bonhoeffer

“There is only one church, the church of faith ruled by the word of Jesus Christ alone. This is the true catholic church that…

— Dietrich Bonhoeffer

“As Christians, we needn’t be at all ashamed of some impatience, longing, opposition to what is unnatural, and our full share of desire for…

— Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Those who love their dream of a Christian community more than the Christian community itself become destroyers of that Christian community even though their…

— Dietrich Bonhoeffer

“From now on there can be no more wars of faith. The only way to overcome our enemy is by loving him.”

— Dietrich Bonhoeffer

“The scriptures do not present us with a series of Christian types to be imitated according to choice; they preach to us in every…

— Dietrich Bonhoeffer

We are not to simply bandage the wounds of victims beneath the wheels of injustice, we are to drive a spoke into the wheel…

— Dietrich Bonhoeffer