---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I have often wondered, that persons who…"
description: "\"“I have often wondered, that persons who make a boast of professing the Christian religion, namely, love, joy, peace, temperance, and charity to all me..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/512/christopher-hitchens-117_animosity_i-have-often-wondered-that-persons-who-m_387676.jpg"
---

#  I have often wondered, that persons who make a boast of…

![“I have often wondered, that persons who make a boast of professing the Christian religion, namely, love, joy, peace, temperance, and charity to all men, should quarrel with such rancorous animosity, and display daily towards one another such bitter hatred, that this, rather than the virtues they…” quote by Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/512/christopher-hitchens-117_animosity_i-have-often-wondered-that-persons-who-m_387676.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/512/christopher-hitchens-117_animosity_i-have-often-wondered-that-persons-who-m_387676.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/512/christopher-hitchens-117_animosity_i-have-often-wondered-that-persons-who-m_387676.jpg)

> ““I have often wondered, that persons who make a boast of professing the Christian religion, namely, love, joy, peace, temperance, and charity to all men, should quarrel with such rancorous animosity, and display daily towards one another such bitter hatred, that this, rather than the virtues they claim, is the readiest criterion of their faith.””

[Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

He critiques Christians who claim virtues yet act with hatred, suggesting their behavior reveals true faith more than their words.

**In simple terms:** People’s actions betray their claimed virtues.

Key Takeaway

Judge faith by deeds, not declarations.

Themes

hypocrisy religion morality

Mood

critical reflective

Type

philosophical ethical

When to use this quote

- church gatherings
- online debates
- personal relationships
- community leadership

Key Concepts

Christian ethics cognitive dissonance

Questions to Reflect On

- Do you see a gap between your beliefs and actions?
- How can you align behavior with values?

A Different Perspective

He may overlook systemic factors influencing behavior.

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[Animosity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animosity/) [Animosity Display](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animosity-display-3503845/) [Christian religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian-religion/) [Hatred Virtues](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hatred-virtues-2036273/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Love Joy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love-joy/) [Professing Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/professing-christian-3503843/) [Rancorous Animosity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rancorous-animosity-3503844/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/)

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> [“You could start a fire with the heat between you two." "You're mistaking bitter animosity for heartfelt affection.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-hodkin/you-could-start-a-fire-with-the-heat-between-you-two-you-re-mistaking/)

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> [ \[Football is\] a game that requires the constant conjuring of animosity. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-lombardi/football-is-a-game-that-requires-the-constant-conjuring-of-animosity/)

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[Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/)

## More by Christopher Hitchens

> [“The spirit of our accurate and exact philosophy is outraged by conclusions that contradict each other so glaringly.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/the-spirit-of-our-accurate-and-exact-philosophy-is-outraged-by/)

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