18 May 2015

When searching for the source of last week’s quotation, I came across this from the theologian and ethicist Reinhold Niebuhr:

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

Reinhold Niebuhr (From ‘The Children of Light and the Children of Darkness’ 1944)

11 May 2015

A well-known prayer which expresses a wise attitude to life whatever your faith or world-view:

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.”

Attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1771, American theologian and ethicist)
The origin of this is in doubt as similar sentiments have been expressed by a number of earlier authors.

4 May 2015

A final quotation from the letter from the Church of England bishops concerning the forthcoming election – this time about the environment:

“We need an honest account of how we must live in the future if generations yet to come are not to inherit a denuded and exhausted planet.”

“Who is my neighbour?” paragraph 27 (www.churchofengland.org/GeneralElection2015)