If we choose only to expose ourselves to opinions and viewpoints that are in line to our own, we become more polarized, more set in our own ways. It will only reinforce and deepen the political divides in our country. But if we choose to actively seek out information that challenges our assumptions and beliefs, perhaps we can begin to understand where the people who disagree with us are coming from.

—Reinhold Niebuhr

About Reinhold Niebuhr

Portrait of Reinhold Niebuhr

Karl Paul Reinhold Niebuhr (June 21, 1892 – June 1, 1971) was an American Mainline Protestant theologian in the Reformed tradition, ethicist, commentator on politics and public affairs, and professor at Union Theological Seminary for more than 30 years. Niebuhr was one of America's leading public intellectuals for several decades...

More quotations from Reinhold Niebuhr

Forgiveness is the final form of love.

—Reinhold Niebuhr

love forgiveness

Nothing that is worth doing can be achieved in our lifetime; therefore we must be saved by hope. Nothing which is true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history; therefore we must be saved by faith. Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone; therefore we must be saved by love. No virtuous act is quite as virtuous from the standpoint of our friend or foe as it is from our standpoint. Therefore we must be saved by the final form of love, which is forgiveness.

—Reinhold Niebuhr

love life history hope beauty accomplishment forgiveness change faith

More quotations tagged with “politics”

Before we get too depressed about the state of our politics, let's remember our history. The great debates of the past, all stirred great passions. They all made somebody angry, and at least once led to a terrible war. What is amazing, is that despite all the conflict, our experiment in democracy has worked better than any form of government on earth.

—R. A. Butler

Nothing can so alienate a voter from the political system as backing a winning candidate.

—Otto von Bismarck

Politics has less to do with where you live than where your heart is.

—Mark B. Cohen

Politics is war without bloodshed while war is politics with bloodshed.

—Margaret Cho

Most people assume the fights are going to be the left versus the right, but it always is the reasonable versus the jerks.

—John Kenneth Galbraith

History

11 Jul 2015 Added