Advice on how to get married.
Printed in all editions of the Tischreden, Cap. 43, §10 (except in the St. Louiser, where reference is made to this volume) and in De Wette-Seidemann, vol. VI, p. 417 f.
That you ask me for advice to take a wife, happens in the opinion, as I respect, that you would like to avoid all misfortune, and you lack nothing in the married state, ne scilicet post factum te conjugii poeniteret [so that after it has happened, the married state does not revenge you]. But see that the giving of advice and the making of deals do not cheat thee, and that thou thereafter keep that which is cheated in thy hand. However, as you have asked, I tell you for my advice that you must first of all have the advice with yourself and advise yourself in this, so that you do not have to jealous anyone when you are disgraced, otherwise he who drives the little wheel, qui est Deus [that is God], will mock you. I advise you to do so. But if you have no need of a wife, whom you alone can test, then take no wife. Si ureris, id est, habes stimulos carnis, pollutiones et tentationes [If you are in heat, that is, if you have stings of the flesh, rivers and temptations], what do you long for, take a wife after all. However, if God gives you one who loves you and you love her, then 1) do again according to the teaching of St. Paul, 1 Corinthians 7 [v. 29]: Tanquam non habens [as if you had her nothing. But that you would gladly have a beautiful, pious and rich
1) "so" put by us instead of: "and".
Letters without any time determination. No. 3322. 3323. 3324.
Eia, dear, yes, you should be painted with red cheeks and white legs; they are also the most pious, but they do not cook well and make bad beds. You will be like the nuns, to whom they put carved Jesus. But they looked around for others who lived there and pleased them better, and saw that they wanted to come out of the convent again. Now, whether your wife be pious or wicked, God will decide. It is said: Tribulationem carnis habebunt hujusmodi [but such will have bodily afflictions], 1 Corinthians 7 [v. 28]. Therefore, experience and practice is the best counsel in this. However, the market will teach you to buy. According to it you have to judge. Rise early and free young shall no one regret.
D. Martinus Luther.
No. 3323.
Without year and day.