"Accordingly, you must beware both of being haughty because of your wisdom and plans and of despairing if your deliberations turn out badly, for GOD controls and blesses the mistakes of the godly. I have often been guilty of very great indiscretions and foolish acts; but I did this with a good intention, not because of a desire to harm and not knowingly, but unwisely and foolishly, when I desired to counsel faithfully. Then I surely had to pray that God might cover and correct my mistake. Nor can it happen otherwise in affairs that are disturbed. For in this way the greatest and best men in the state often do the most harm with foolish and rash plans; and if God did not have compassion on them, everything would be in a topsy-turvy condition.
Such is our life; it is very wretched indeed. When we try to be very wise and to give the best advice, we often cause the greatest havoc, to such an extent that if our errors were not corrected because of God’s compassion and providence, everything would be utterly overturned. For the same thing happens to us that happened to a certain peasant who was driving his wagon with difficulty because the wheels, as they seemed to him, were too blunt. In order that the horses might pull the wagon with less difficulty, he sharpened the rims of the wheels. But with this plan he accomplished so little that the wagon, with the wheels, sank deeper into the mud and could not be moved from the spot at all. This is the kind of wisdom we arrogate to ourselves. According to it, nothing seems easier than the management of affairs, just as the well-known character in the comedy says: “I should have been king,” and as the poets have beautifully portrayed such arrogance in the story of Phaethon. For today, too, you could hear many who cry out: “If I were in Dr. Martin’s or Philip’s place, I would give them better advice!” Of course! We see that great princes stumble and that the best bishops often show themselves as the most foolish.
Then what? Should nothing at all be done, and should all managing be shunned entirely? Not at all. Rather let everyone diligently and faithfully do his duty which has been committed to him by God. But let him beware of relying on his own strength or his own wisdom and of considering himself such a great man that everything should be directed in accordance with what he counsels. For it is incurable and damnable rashness and arrogance on my part when I claim to be such a person and such an extraordinary man that I can manage the state, the home, and the church wisely and properly. But if you are a judge, a bishop, or a prince, you should not feel ashamed to fall on your knees and say: “Lord God, Thou hast appointed me as prince, judge, head of the household, and pastor of the church. Therefore guide and teach me, give me counsel, wisdom, and strength to attend successfully to the office committed to me.”
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