Reinhold Niebuhr

1892 – 1971 CE

Composer of the Alcoholics Anonymous Serenity Prayer, author of a nonfiction book ranked in the top 20 of the twentieth century, "the most influential American theologian of the 20th century,” leading political and cultural commentator for over 30 years; Niebuhr challenged religious conservatives as narrow-minded, religious liberals as naive and taught a middle-way “Christian realism.” Barack Obama’s "favorite philosopher" and a deep influence on Thomas Edison, Jimmy Carter, Martin Luther King Jr., John McCain, and given the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Lyndon Johnson; one of his books was called, "the most important book ever written on U.S. foreign policy.”

Lineages
American (USA) Christian Humanism

Eras

Quotes by Reinhold Niebuhr (8 quotes)

“Grant to us the serenity of mind to accept that which cannot be changed; courage to change that which can be changed, and wisdom to know the one from the other.”

Chapters: 27. No Trace

Themes: Letting Go

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“Ultimately evil is done not so much by evil people, but by good people who do not know themselves and who do not probe deeply.”

Chapters: 29. Not Doing

Themes: Know Yourself Evil

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“Frantic orthodoxy is never rooted in faith but in doubt. It is when we are unsure that we are doubly sure.”

Chapters: 65. Simplicity: the Hidden Power of Goodness

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“If any one idea dominates the teachings of Jesus, it is his opposition to the self-righteousness of the righteous.”

Chapters: 67. Three Treasures

Themes: Arrogance and Pride Christianity

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“We all want the things which the factory produces and none of us is sensitive enough to care how much in human values the efficiency of the modern factory costs.”

Chapters: 72. Helpful Fear

Themes: Technology

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“Comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable.”

Chapters: 77. Stringing a Bow

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“Nothing worth doing is completed in our lifetime.”

Chapters: 80. A Golden Age

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“"Man's capacity for justice makes democracy possible; but man's inclination to injustice makes democracy necessary."”