Luther Online

Adam called his wife by that admirable name Eve, which means mother. He didn’t say ‘wife’ but ‘mother’

Adam called his wife by that admirable name Eve, which means mother. He didn’t say ‘wife’ but ‘mother,’ and he added ‘of all living.’ Here you have the ornament that distinguishes woman, namely, that she is the fount of all living human beings. These words were very few, but neither Demosthenes nor Cicero ever composed such an oration. This is the oration of the very eloquent Holy Spirit, fitted to our first parent. He is the one who declaims here, and since this orator defines and praises [marriage] it is only right that we put a charitable construction on everything that may be frail in a woman. For Christ, our Savior, did not hold woman in contempt but entered the womb of a woman. Paul also reflected on this [when he wrote], ‘Woman will be saved through bearing children,’ etc. This is admirable praise, except that he uses the little word ‘woman’ and not ‘mother.’ - 1537

Even though a boy who has studied Latin should afterward learn a trade and become a craftsman

Martin Luther on the education of children

Even though a boy who has studied Latin should afterward learn a trade and become a craftsman, he still stands as a ready reserve in case he should be needed as a pastor or in some other service of the word. Neither will such knowledge hurt his capacity to earn a living. On the contrary, he can rule his house all the better because of it, and besides, he is prepared for the office of preacher or pastor if he should be needed there. It is especially easy in our day to train persons for teaching the gospel and the catechism because not only Holy Scripture but also knowledge of all kinds is so abundant, what with so many books, so much reading, and, thank God, so much preaching that one can learn more now in three years than was formerly possible in twenty. Even women and children can now learn from German books and sermons more about God and Christ — I am telling the truth! — than all the universities, foundations, monasteries, the whole papacy, and all the world used to know. - 1530

God wants us to do our duty and to work diligently, in order that the flesh may be exercised...

Martin Luther on the Work Ethic of the Believer around 1545 from his lectures on Genesis.

God wants us to do our duty and to work diligently, in order that the flesh may be exercised and may not snore and become listless from inactivity, as the heathen poet says: “The natural disposition of all men is inclined away from work to lust.” Accordingly, we should not give ourselves to ease and laziness; but with all zeal and diligence we should submit to the labors which the calling of each and every one requires. And to these labors there should be added at the same time a cheerful spirit in every trouble, exertion, and tribulation. In this way a blessing should be expected from the Lord. Thus Jacob, Joseph, Rachel, and Leah were not lazy. Leah says to Jacob: “Has not our father consumed our wages?” (cf. Gen. 31:15), as though she meant to say: “We have had to bear the troubles of household administration by pasturing the flocks, milking the cows and goats, etc. But whatever was gained by our zeal and diligence, all this our father Laban has consumed.” Rebecca and Sarah undoubtedly applied themselves with the same earnestness, but they did so with a peaceful and quiet conscience.

In this manner Joseph, too, was most diligent in his management of the household. He was the first to get out of bed, he wandered through the whole house, he specified what had to be done in the house or in the field, and he carefully arranged everything. He did not wait until the domestics did their duty of their own accord. For usually this never happens, as is evident among our people, whose laziness and carelessness is so great that I have never seen lazier people than in this region and city. If food is at hand for tomorrow, they do nothing at all, or they attend to their assigned tasks illnaturedly. Therefore they are good-for-nothings and beggars; and whatever they have, they have because of the prayers of the church. They will never get rich, devoted as they are to laziness, sloth, and gluttony. They are a lazy, base, and gluttonous people! But those who are industrious and diligent easily become rich, because to such God wants to give a blessing, as Solomon says: “The hand of the diligent makes rich” (Prov. 10:4).

And we see the same thing happening at court. Generally speaking, two or three men bear the whole burden of government, the prince himself and some of his secretaries. The rest of the mob snores night and day, revels, and gormandizes; or if it does anything, it does so not for the sake of duty but out of pure greed and ambition. That is why such great expenses are incurred.

Martin Luther on Troublesome Thoughts

"When I’m troubled by thoughts which pertain to political questions or household affairs, I take up a psalm or a text of Paul and fall asleep over it. But the thoughts which come from Satan demand more of me. Then I have to resort to more difficult maneuvers before I extricate myself, although I easily get the upper hand in thoughts of an economic or domestic character. However, when I’m angry with God and ask him whether it’s he or I who’s wrong, then it’s more than I can handle." - Martin Luther Summer or Fall 1531