What is funny about us is precisely that we take ourselves too seriously.

Man's capacity for justice makes democracy possible, but man's inclination to injustice makes democracy necessary.

Frantic orthodoxy is never rooted in faith but in doubt. It is when we are unsure that we are doubly sure.

We ought to really at least recognize the common predicament of Communists and democrats - or Americans, whatever.

Self-righteousness is the inevitable fruit of simple moral judgments.

God, give us grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, courage to change the things which should be changed, and the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other. This prayer was first printed in a monthly bulletin of the Federal Council of Churches and has become enormously popular. It has been circulated in millions of copies.

The more complex the world situation becomes, the more scientific and rational analysis you have to have, the less you can do with simple good will and sentiment.