Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Quote of the Day

'When Luther's puppy [n. 116, Luther's dog Tölpel is mentioned again and again in his "Table Talk".] happened to be at the table, looked for a morsel from his master, and watched with open mouth and motionless eyes, he [Martin Luther] said, "Oh, if I could only pray the way this dog watches the meat! All his thoughts are concentrated on the piece of meat. Otherwise he has no thought, wish, or hope.
Luther's Works, Volume 54, Table Talk (Philadelphia: 1967), pp. 37, 38. May 18, 1532



2 comments:

  1. I love this quote. Is there any information about Luther's dog? (e.g. breed) Tölpel: Is this German for blockhead?

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  2. Good question, I just don't know the answer. I'm not sure if it's meaning today matched or matches what it was 500 or so years ago. I'd also be curious as to anything about the type of dog. Tölpel is mentioned several times in Luther's "Table Talks."

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