# “Solitude produces melancholy” by Martin Luther

- Link: https://tollelege.net/2016/04/16/solitude-produces-melancholy-by-martin-luther/
- Published: 2016-04-16T12:00:18-05:00
- Author: tollelege

“More and graver sins are committed in solitude than in the society of one’s fellow
men. The devil deceived Eve in paradise when she was alone.

Murder, robbery, theft, fornication, and adultery are committed in solitude, for
solitude provides the devil with occasion and opportunity.

On the other hand, a person who is with others and in the society of his fellow 
men is either ashamed to commit a crime or does not have the occasion and opportunity
to do so.

Christ promised, ‘Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am 
I in the midst of them.’

Christ was alone when the devil tempted Him. David was alone and idle when he slipped
into adultery and murder. I too have discovered that I am never so likely to fall
into sins as when I am by myself.

God created man for society and not for solitude. This may be supported by the argument
that He created two sexes, male and female.

Likewise God founded the Christian Church, the communion of saints, instituted the
Sacraments, preaching, and consolations in the Church.

Solitude produces melancholy. When we are alone the worst and saddest things come
to mind. We reflect in detail upon all sorts of evils.

And if we have encountered adversity in our lives, we dwell upon it as much as possible,
magnify it, think that no one is so unhappy as we are, and imagine the worst possible
consequences.

In short, when we are alone, we think of one thing and another, we leap to conclusions,
and we interpret everything in the worst light.

On the other hand, we imagine that other people are very happy, and it distresses
us that things go well with them and evil with us.”

–Martin Luther, _[Luther: Letters of Spiritual Counsel](http://www.amazon.com/Luther-Letters-Spiritual-Christian-Classics/dp/1573830925/ref=as_li_ss_tl?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1460818960&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=toletaupanre-20&linkId=5fb166d4ace250b6f75420bd0ab4e23c)_,
Ed. Theodore Tappert (Louisville: Westminster Press, 1955), 95.

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