--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Selfishness is never so exquisitely…" description: "\"Selfishness is never so exquisitely selfish as when it is on its knees. ... Self turns what would otherwise be a pure and powerful prayer into a weak a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a7a/aiden-wilson-tozer-296_knees_selfishness-is-never-so-exquisitely-self_2715461.png" --- # Selfishness is never so exquisitely selfish as when it is… ![“Selfishness is never so exquisitely selfish as when it is on its knees. ... Self turns what would otherwise be a pure and powerful prayer into a weak and ineffective one.” quote by Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a7a/aiden-wilson-tozer-296_knees_selfishness-is-never-so-exquisitely-self_2715461.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a7a/aiden-wilson-tozer-296_knees_selfishness-is-never-so-exquisitely-self_2715461.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a7a/aiden-wilson-tozer-296_knees_selfishness-is-never-so-exquisitely-self_2715461.png) > “Selfishness is never so exquisitely selfish as when it is on its knees. ... Self turns what would otherwise be a pure and powerful prayer into a weak and ineffective one.” [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Selfishness becomes worst when it masquerades as humility, weakening genuine spiritual intent. **In simple terms:** Pretending humility hides true selfishness, weakening prayer. Key Takeaway Seek authentic humility, not false modesty. Themes spirituality humility self‑deception Mood reflective serious Type spiritual ethical When to use this quote - personal reflection - religious practice - ethical living Key Concepts inner motives prayer efficacy Questions to Reflect On - What motives lie behind your humility? - How does genuine humility affect your actions? A Different Perspective False humility can undermine true devotion. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Exquisitely Selfish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exquisitely-selfish-2840608/) [Knees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knees/) [Powerful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/powerful/) [Powerful prayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/powerful-prayer/) [Prayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prayer/) [Pure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pure/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Selfish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfish/) [Selfish Knees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfish-knees-2840607/) [Selfishness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfishness/) [Selfishness Exquisitely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfishness-exquisitely-2840609/) [Turns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/turns/) [Weak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weak/) ## Related quotes > [Satan laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-chadwick/satan-laughs-at-our-toil-mocks-at-our-wisdom-but-trembles-when-we-pray/) [Samuel Chadwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-chadwick/) > [I have never been religious. I talk to God every day, but He's never said a word to me about religion! I think the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-moody/i-have-never-been-religious-i-talk-to-god-every-day-but-he-s-never/) [Raymond Moody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-moody/) > [None can believe how powerful prayer is, and what it is able to effect, but those who have learned it by experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/none-can-believe-how-powerful-prayer-is-and-what-it-is-able-to-effect/) [Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/) > [Don't pray when you feel like it. Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/don-t-pray-when-you-feel-like-it-have-an-appointment-with-the-lord/) [Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/) > [Those who know God the best are the richest and most powerful in prayer. Little acquaintance with God, and strangeness and coldness to Him,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-mckendree-bounds/those-who-know-god-the-best-are-the-richest-and-most-powerful-in/) [Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) > [Just a thank you is a mighty powerful prayer. Says it all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/just-a-thank-you-is-a-mighty-powerful-prayer-says-it-all/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [No one can believe how powerful prayer is and what it can effect, except those who have learned it by experience. Whenever I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/no-one-can-believe-how-powerful-prayer-is-and-what-it-can-effect/) [Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/) > [Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/whatever-you-ask-in-prayer-believe-that-you-have-received-it-and-it/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [The men who have done the most for God in this world have been early on their knees.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-mckendree-bounds/the-men-who-have-done-the-most-for-god-in-this-world-have-been-early-2/) [Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) > [How powerful prayer is! May we never lose the courage to say: Lord, give us your peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/how-powerful-prayer-is-may-we-never-lose-the-courage-to-say-lord-give/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [The most powerful prayer, one wellnigh omnipotent, and the worthiest work of all is the outcome of a quiet mind. The quieter it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meister-eckhart/the-most-powerful-prayer-one-wellnigh-omnipotent-and-the-worthiest/) [Meister Eckhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meister-eckhart/) > [I think the Lord's Prayer is a very powerful prayer. And the prayer of St. Francis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-kucinich/i-think-the-lord-s-prayer-is-a-very-powerful-prayer-and-the-prayer-of/) [Dennis Kucinich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-kucinich/) > [The most powerful prayer, one well-nigh omnipotent, and the worthiest work of all is the outcome of a quiet mind. The quieter it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meister-eckhart/the-most-powerful-prayer-one-well-nigh-omnipotent-and-the-worthiest/) [Meister Eckhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meister-eckhart/) > [If God is not first in our thoughts and efforts in the morning, He will be in the last place the remainder of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-mckendree-bounds/if-god-is-not-first-in-our-thoughts-and-efforts-in-the-morning-he/) [Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) > [There is no such thing as a powerful prayer; we only have powerful people praying to a powerful God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-oyakhilome/there-is-no-such-thing-as-a-powerful-prayer-we-only-have-powerful/) [Chris Oyakhilome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-oyakhilome/) ## More by Aiden Wilson Tozer > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [One thing the young Christian should be taught as quickly as possible after his conversion is that Jesus Christ is all he needs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/one-thing-the-young-christian-should-be-taught-as-quickly-as-possible/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [The idea that this world is a playground instead of a battleground has now been accepted in practice by the vast majority of Christians.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/the-idea-that-this-world-is-a-playground-instead-of-a-battleground/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [God often hides His blessing in trouble or trial, which makes it all the sweeter when it comes our way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/god-often-hides-his-blessing-in-trouble-or-trial-which-makes-it-all/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [Pay no heed to the passing religious vogue. Go back to the grass roots. Open your hearts and search the Scriptures. Bear your cross,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/pay-no-heed-to-the-passing-religious-vogue-go-back-to-the-grass-roots/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [To pray without expectation is to misunderstand the whole concept of prayer and relationship with God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/to-pray-without-expectation-is-to-misunderstand-the-whole-concept-of/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [It's time for us to rise up, get out of the rut and routine, and begin to take our Christian faith seriously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/it-s-time-for-us-to-rise-up-get-out-of-the-rut-and-routine-and-begin/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [The true Christian ideal is not to be happy but to be holy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/the-true-christian-ideal-is-not-to-be-happy-but-to-be-holy/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [The goodness of God is infinitely more wonderful than we will ever be able to comprehend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/the-goodness-of-god-is-infinitely-more-wonderful-than-we-will-ever-be/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [A holy man isn't aware that he's holy..As soon as we begin to talk about how holy we are, we aren't holy any more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/a-holy-man-isn-t-aware-that-he-s-holy-as-soon-as-we-begin-to-talk/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [There is a strain of loneliness infecting many Christians, which only the presence of God can cure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/there-is-a-strain-of-loneliness-infecting-many-christians-which-only/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [Where God is not glorified, that place is sick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/where-god-is-not-glorified-that-place-is-sick/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [Hope is the music of the whole Bible, the heartbeat, the pulse and the atmosphere of the whole Bible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/hope-is-the-music-of-the-whole-bible-the-heartbeat-the-pulse-and-the/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [Christian liberty is freedom from sin, not freedom to sin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/christian-liberty-is-freedom-from-sin-not-freedom-to-sin/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [Outside of the will of god, there is nothing I want. And in the will of god there is nothing I fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/outside-of-the-will-of-god-there-is-nothing-i-want-and-in-the-will-of/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) [Explore all 720 Aiden Wilson Tozer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) ## More Knees quotes > [It rolls off my back. Ridicule doesn't mean anything - even from people you're supposed to wear knee pads around, like the scientific community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-schultz/it-rolls-off-my-back-ridicule-doesn-t-mean-anything-even-from-people/) [Dwight Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-schultz/) > [The only people without problems are in cemeteries. If you don't have problems, get on your knees and pray.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/the-only-people-without-problems-are-in-cemeteries-if-you-don-t-have/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) > [A man is powerful on his knees.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/a-man-is-powerful-on-his-knees/) [Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/) > [In the middle of a play, I go crazy and don't realize what I'm doing. I'll snap back to reality and I realize, 'Hey,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-bosworth/in-the-middle-of-a-play-i-go-crazy-and-don-t-realize-what-i-m-doing-i/) [Brian Bosworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-bosworth/) > [I'm getting housemaid's knee kneeling here gulping beauty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amelia-earhart/i-m-getting-housemaid-s-knee-kneeling-here-gulping-beauty/) [Amelia Earhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amelia-earhart/) > [A conversation does not have to be scintillating in order to be memorable. I once met a president of the United States, and his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-cavett/a-conversation-does-not-have-to-be-scintillating-in-order-to-be/) [Dick Cavett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-cavett/) > [Lover please do not fall to your knees it's not like I believe in everlasting love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-marling/lover-please-do-not-fall-to-your-knees-it-s-not-like-i-believe-in/) [Laura Marling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-marling/) > [Consider developing your whole self with the same raw focus and intensity that you develop a particular skill set. Get focused. Go out, have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-holden/consider-developing-your-whole-self-with-the-same-raw-focus-and/) [Anthony Holden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-holden/) > [What Wall Street and credit card companies are doing is really not much different from what gangsters and loan sharks do who make predatory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/what-wall-street-and-credit-card-companies-are-doing-is-really-not/) [Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/) > [Oh, I'm being eaten By a boa constrictor, A boa constrictor, A boa constrictor, I'm being eaten by a boa constrictor, And I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shel-silverstein/oh-i-m-being-eaten-by-a-boa-constrictor-a-boa-constrictor-a-boa/) [Shel Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shel-silverstein/) > [You should have seen me in my Catholic school girl skirt with my knees knocking together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-lyn-o-keefe/you-should-have-seen-me-in-my-catholic-school-girl-skirt-with-my/) [Jodi Lyn O'Keefe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-lyn-o-keefe/) > [But what struck me was the book-madness of the place--books lay scattered across the unmade bed and the top of a battered-looking desk, books…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-millhauser/but-what-struck-me-was-the-book-madness-of-the-place-books-lay/) [Steven Millhauser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-millhauser/) > [Every pellet has a story all its own. Every pellet has a story all its own. With its fur and teeth and bones And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-lasky/every-pellet-has-a-story-all-its-own-every-pellet-has-a-story-all-its/) [Kathryn Lasky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-lasky/) > [To get nations back on their feet, we must first get down on our knees.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/to-get-nations-back-on-their-feet-we-must-first-get-down-on-our-knees/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [Oh, Adam was a gardener, and God who made him sees That half a proper gardener's work is done upon his knees, So when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudyard-kipling/oh-adam-was-a-gardener-and-god-who-made-him-sees-that-half-a-proper/) [Rudyard Kipling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudyard-kipling/) [Browse all 1,458 Knees quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knees/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Selfishness is never so exquisitely selfish as when it is on its knees. ... 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