Holy men? Holy cabbages! Holy bean-pods! What do they do…
““Holy men? Holy cabbages! Holy bean-pods! What do they do but live and suck in sustenance and grow fat? If that be holiness, I could show you hogs in this forest who are fit to head the calendar. Think you it was for such a life that this good arm was fixed upon my shoulder, or that head placed upon your neck? There is work in the world, man, and it is not by hiding behind stone walls that we shall do it.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A critique of false piety, urging action over idle reverence.
In simple terms: Action beats hollow sanctity.
Key Takeaway
Work trumps worship.
Themes
critique of religious hypocrisy
call to labor
nature vs. civilization
human agency
Mood
defiant
inspirational
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- a leader confronting complacent followers
- a worker urging peers to act
- a philosopher debating moral duty
Key Concepts
holiness as illusion
bodily sustenance
social responsibility
Practical Applications
- motivational speech for activists
- ethical essay on work ethic
Questions to Reflect On
- What does true virtue look like in daily life?
- How can we differentiate genuine purpose from empty ritual?