The world has now become very sure of itself. It relies on books and thinks that if these are read it knows everything

Martin Luther on the trap of books.

"The world has now become very sure of itself. It relies on books and thinks that if these are read it knows everything. The devil almost succeeded in getting me, too, to become lazy and secure and to think: ‘Here you have the books. If you read them you’ll have the answers.’ So the fanatics' and sacramentarians' suppose that because they have read only one little book they know everything. Against such security I pray the catechism' every day like my little Hans' and ask God to keep me in his dear, holy Word, lest I grow weary of it.'" – Summer 1532