Martin Luther

Leader of the Protestant Reformation

Early Modern influential 281 sayings

Sayings by Martin Luther

Heretics are not to be disputed with, but to be condemned unheard, and whilst they perish by fire, the faithful ought to pursue the evil to its source, and bathe their heads in the blood of the Catholic bishops, and of the Pope, who is the devil in disguise.

c. 1520s-1540s — Context: Strong anti-Catholic rhetoric
Controversial Unverifiable

You abominable abomination.

1545 — Against the Roman Papacy, an Institution of the Devil
Controversial Unverifiable

Your Hellishness.

1545 — Against the Roman Papacy, an Institution of the Devil
Controversial Unverifiable

The very devil himself would thank you for such an event, and no one but the miserable devil and his devilish scum.

1545 — Against the Roman Papacy, an Institution of the Devil
Controversial Unverifiable

Your home, once the holiest of all, has become the most licentious den of thieves, the most shameless of all brothels, the kingdom of sin, death, and hell. It is so bad that even Antichrist himself, if he should come, could think of nothing to add to its wickedness.

c. 1520s-1540s — Context: Critique of the Papacy
Controversial Unverifiable

What devilish unchristian thing would you not undertake?

c. 1520s-1540s — Context: Critique of the Papacy
Controversial Unverifiable

You are an extraordinary creature, being neither God nor man. Perhaps you are the devil himself.

c. 1520s-1540s — Context: Critique of the Papacy
Controversial Unverifiable

Even if the Antichrist appears, what greater evil can he do than what you have done and do daily?

c. 1520s-1540s — Context: Critique of the Papacy
Controversial Unverifiable

The Pope is a mere tormentor of conscience.

c. 1520s-1540s — Context: Critique of the Papacy
Controversial Unverifiable

The assembly of his greased and religious crew in praying was altogether like the croaking of frogs, which edified nothing at all.

c. 1520s-1540s — Context: Critique of Catholic clergy/practices
Controversial Unverifiable

We consider EVERYTHING allowable against the deception and depravity of the papal antichrist.

c. 1520s-1540s — Context: Justifying strong opposition to the Papacy
Controversial Unverifiable

Those who despise these, or treat them with contempt, are worthy of purchasing, adoring, and praising the pope's excrement as balsam.

c. 1530s — Lectures on Genesis, 4:3
Controversial Unverifiable

Again, the Lord wills that whoever confesses his sins and believes the absolution should be forgiven. 'No,' says ass-pope fart, 'faith does nothing; but your own repentance and atonement do, as well as the recounting of all your secret, forgotten, and unrecognized sins.'

1545 — Against The Roman Papacy an Institution of the Devil
Controversial Unverifiable

You Mr pope. are a brothel keeper. and the devil's daughter in hell.

c. 1540s — Context: Anti-Papal rhetoric
Controversial Unverifiable

you popes are desperate thorough arch rascals murderers traitors liars the very scum this is number 10 of all the most evil people on earth you're full of all the worst devils in hell full full and so full that you can do nothing but vomit throw and blow out devils.

c. 1540s — Context: Anti-Papal rhetoric
Controversial Unverifiable

I'm like a ripe stool and the world's like a gigantic anus, and we're about to let go of each other.

c. 1546 — Reported as said shortly before his death to his wife Katie, also in 'Table Talk'.
Humorous Unverifiable

I resist the devil, and often it is with a fart that I chase him away. When he tempts me with silly sins I say, 'Devil, yesterday I broke wind too. Have you written it down on your list?'

1530s-1540s (Table Talk) — Quoted in 'The Wit of Martin Luther' and other sources.
Humorous Unverifiable

Tomorrow I have to lecture on the drunkenness of Noah [Gen. 9:20-27], so I should drink enough this evening to be able to talk about that wickedness as one who knows by experience.

1530s-1540s (Table Talk) — Quoted in 'The Wit of Martin Luther'.
Humorous Unverifiable

I am drinking beer from Namburg which tastes to me almost like the beer from Mansfeld which you praised to me. It agrees with me well and gives me about three bowel movements in three hours in the morning.

Undated, but during his travels — Letter to his wife Katie.
Humorous Unverifiable

A happy fart never comes from a miserable ass.

1530s-1540s (Table Talk) — Quoted in collections of his sayings.
Humorous Unverifiable