--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Instead of exhorting you to augment your…" description: "\"Instead of exhorting you to augment your charity, I will rather utter an exhortation, or at least a supplication, that you may not abuse your charity b..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/249/cotton-mather-22749_abuse_instead-of-exhorting-you-to-augment-your_2309949.jpg" --- # Instead of exhorting you to augment your charity, I will… ![“Instead of exhorting you to augment your charity, I will rather utter an exhortation, or at least a supplication, that you may not abuse your charity by misapplying it.” quote by Cotton Mather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/249/cotton-mather-22749_abuse_instead-of-exhorting-you-to-augment-your_2309949.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/249/cotton-mather-22749_abuse_instead-of-exhorting-you-to-augment-your_2309949.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/249/cotton-mather-22749_abuse_instead-of-exhorting-you-to-augment-your_2309949.jpg) > “Instead of exhorting you to augment your charity, I will rather utter an exhortation, or at least a supplication, that you may not abuse your charity by misapplying it.” [Cotton Mather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cotton-mather/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Charitable acts must be guided by wisdom, not just good intentions, to avoid causing harm. **In simple terms:** Charity needs careful application. Key Takeaway Practice thoughtful giving. Themes ethics responsibility compassion Mood reflective serious Type religious ethical When to use this quote - non‑profit work - community service - personal donations - policy making Key Concepts theology moral philosophy practical wisdom Questions to Reflect On - How can you ensure your help is truly beneficial? - What safeguards prevent misuse of charity? A Different Perspective It may be overly cautious, discouraging aid. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abuse/) [Charity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/charity/) [Generosity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generosity/) [Philanthropic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philanthropic/) [Philanthropy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philanthropy/) [Supplication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/supplication/) ## Related quotes > [When even the scrupulously detached BBC is exhorting us to talk to God, you know something is going on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-hornby/when-even-the-scrupulously-detached-bbc-is-exhorting-us-to-talk-to/) [Nick Hornby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-hornby/) > [“congregation, exhorting, encouraging,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-richmond/congregation-exhorting-encouraging/) Catherine Richmond > [There should be a parallel between our supplications and our thanksgivings. We ought not to leap in prayer, and limp in praise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/there-should-be-a-parallel-between-our-supplications-and-our/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [“Supplication is to implore God for mercy and compassion, to have pity upon you or to grant you the request given and expect that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-bertram/supplication-is-to-implore-god-for-mercy-and-compassion-to-have-pity/) [Robin Bertram](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-bertram/) > [Among the various supplications with which we successfully appeal to the Virgin Mother of God, the Holy Rosary without doubt occupies a special and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-pius-xi/among-the-various-supplications-with-which-we-successfully-appeal-to/) [Pope Pius XI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-pius-xi/) > [When the Gauls laid waste Rome, they found the senators clothed in their robes, and seated in stern tranquillity in their curule chairs; in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/washington-irving/when-the-gauls-laid-waste-rome-they-found-the-senators-clothed-in/) [Washington Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/washington-irving/) > [It's not about supplication, it's about power. It's not about asking, it's about demanding. It's not about convincing those who are currently in power,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberle-williams-crenshaw/it-s-not-about-supplication-it-s-about-power-it-s-not-about-asking-it/) [Kimberle Williams Crenshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberle-williams-crenshaw/) > [The great thing in prayer is to feel that we are putting our supplications into the bosom of omnipotent love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-murray/the-great-thing-in-prayer-is-to-feel-that-we-are-putting-our/) [Andrew Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-murray/) > [My fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe; who presides in the councils of nations; and whose providential aid can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/my-fervent-supplications-to-that-almighty-being-who-rules-over-the/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [It is God’s will through His wonderful grace, that the prayers of His saints should be one of the great principal means of carrying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/it-is-god-s-will-through-his-wonderful-grace-that-the-prayers-of-his/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [We ought to be as earnest and frequent in our prayers of thanksgiving when the cupboard is full as we would be in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/we-ought-to-be-as-earnest-and-frequent-in-our-prayers-of-thanksgiving/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [I'm gonna abandon my spirit to them, which is actually what I attempt to do. You work yourself up into that state and you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lee-roth/i-m-gonna-abandon-my-spirit-to-them-which-is-actually-what-i-attempt/) [David Lee Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lee-roth/) > [The reason so many people do not pray is because of its cost. The cost is not so much in the sweat of agonizing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-chadwick/the-reason-so-many-people-do-not-pray-is-because-of-its-cost-the-cost/) [Samuel Chadwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-chadwick/) > [Shane lowered his glasses on his nose and gave me his version of a severe stare. I leaned a little toward Luther. "Is this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/shane-lowered-his-glasses-on-his-nose-and-gave-me-his-version-of-a/) [Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/) > [As we look upon that agony and those tearful prayers, let us not only look with thankfulness; but let that kneeling Saviour teach us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-maclaren/as-we-look-upon-that-agony-and-those-tearful-prayers-let-us-not-only/) [Alexander MacLaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-maclaren/) ## More by Cotton Mather > [What Must I Do to Be Saved? It is impossible to ask a more weighty Question! It is deplorable that we hear it asked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cotton-mather/what-must-i-do-to-be-saved-it-is-impossible-to-ask-a-more-weighty/) [Cotton Mather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cotton-mather/) > [Is this dying? Is this all? Is this what I feared when I prayed against a hard death? Oh, I can bear this! I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cotton-mather/is-this-dying-is-this-all-is-this-what-i-feared-when-i-prayed-against/) [Cotton Mather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cotton-mather/) > [That there is a Devil is a thing doubted by none but such as are under the influence of the Devil. For any to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cotton-mather/that-there-is-a-devil-is-a-thing-doubted-by-none-but-such-as-are/) [Cotton Mather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cotton-mather/) > [If we admit instrumental musick in the worship of God, how can we resist the imposition of all the instruments used among the ancient…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cotton-mather/if-we-admit-instrumental-musick-in-the-worship-of-god-how-can-we/) [Cotton Mather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cotton-mather/) > [Wilderness is a temporary condition through which we are passing to the Promised Land.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cotton-mather/wilderness-is-a-temporary-condition-through-which-we-are-passing-to/) [Cotton Mather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cotton-mather/) > [The Word of God must be Read and Heard with Diligence that so you may arrive to the Knowledge that is needful for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cotton-mather/the-word-of-god-must-be-read-and-heard-with-diligence-that-so-you-may/) [Cotton Mather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cotton-mather/) > [You are young and have the world before you; stoop as you go through it, and you will miss many hard bumps.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cotton-mather/you-are-young-and-have-the-world-before-you-stoop-as-you-go-through/) [Cotton Mather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cotton-mather/) > [Be not so set upon poetry, as to be always poring on the passionate and measured pages. Let not what should be sauce, rather…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cotton-mather/be-not-so-set-upon-poetry-as-to-be-always-poring-on-the-passionate/) [Cotton Mather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cotton-mather/) > [Ah! destructive Ignorance, what shall be done to chase thee out of the World!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cotton-mather/ah-destructive-ignorance-what-shall-be-done-to-chase-thee-out-of-the/) [Cotton Mather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cotton-mather/) > [“The Jews have a saying worth remembering: "Whoever doesn't teach his son some trade or business, teaches him to be a thief." As soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cotton-mather/the-jews-have-a-saying-worth-remembering-whoever-doesn-t-teach-his/) [Cotton Mather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cotton-mather/) > [That there is a Devil, is a thing doubted by none but such as are under the influences of the Devil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cotton-mather/that-there-is-a-devil-is-a-thing-doubted-by-none-but-such-as-are-2/) [Cotton Mather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cotton-mather/) > [Chrysostom, I remember, mentions a twofold book of God: the book of the creatures, and the book of the scriptures. God, having taught us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cotton-mather/chrysostom-i-remember-mentions-a-twofold-book-of-god-the-book-of-the/) [Cotton Mather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cotton-mather/) > [Charity ... is kind, it is not easily provok'd, it thinks no evil, it believes all things, hopes all things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cotton-mather/charity-is-kind-it-is-not-easily-provok-d-it-thinks-no-evil-it/) [Cotton Mather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cotton-mather/) > [There may be some so very Ignorant, that they know not how to Pray.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cotton-mather/there-may-be-some-so-very-ignorant-that-they-know-not-how-to-pray/) [Cotton Mather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cotton-mather/) > [“The New-Englanders are a People of God settled in those, which were once the Devil's Territories; and it may easily be supposed that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cotton-mather/the-new-englanders-are-a-people-of-god-settled-in-those-which-were/) [Cotton Mather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cotton-mather/) [Explore all 27 Cotton Mather quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cotton-mather/) ## More Abuse quotes > [I wrote when I was a young teen, but I didn't put an eye on the available markets until I was seventeen. The next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-reed/i-wrote-when-i-was-a-young-teen-but-i-didn-t-put-an-eye-on-the/) [Robert Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-reed/) > [Amongst the financial Twitterati, the term 'muppets' has come to describe any client used and abused by some financial predator. I've adopted the term…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-ritholtz/amongst-the-financial-twitterati-the-term-muppets-has-come-to/) [Barry Ritholtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-ritholtz/) > [Being nice is okay,but don't allow anybody to abuse it...try to fight for your self when you know your on the right way...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-nice-is-okay-but-don-t-allow-anybody-to-abuse-it-try-to-fight/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Build a bridge over shame by teaching kids about sexual abuse. Give them a chance to run to us should they encounter it. Be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-byers-ruch/build-a-bridge-over-shame-by-teaching-kids-about-sexual-abuse-give/) [Carolyn Byers Ruch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-byers-ruch/) > [It is sure that those are most desirous of honour or glory who cry out loudest of its abuse and the vanity of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baruch-spinoza/it-is-sure-that-those-are-most-desirous-of-honour-or-glory-who-cry/) [Baruch Spinoza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baruch-spinoza/) > [“The sole reason I stand to open it up now is that lots of people who are in pain just like I was, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-dsouza/the-sole-reason-i-stand-to-open-it-up-now-is-that-lots-of-people-who/) [Patricia Dsouza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-dsouza/) > [Democracy must be built through open societies that share information. When there is information, there is enlightenment. When there is debate, there are solutions.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/atifete-jahjaga/democracy-must-be-built-through-open-societies-that-share-information/) [Atifete Jahjaga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/atifete-jahjaga/) > [I have a theory that all abuse, no matter what kind of abuse it is, is foremost an assault on the mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-westover/i-have-a-theory-that-all-abuse-no-matter-what-kind-of-abuse-it-is-is/) [Tara Westover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-westover/) > [“Blaming therapy, social work and other caring professions for the confabulation of testimony of 'satanic ritual abuse' legitimated a programme of political and social…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-salter/blaming-therapy-social-work-and-other-caring-professions-for-the/) [Michael Salter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-salter/) > [Finally, the scariest thing about abuse of any shape or form, is, in my opinion, not the abuse itself, but that if it continues…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cumming/finally-the-scariest-thing-about-abuse-of-any-shape-or-form-is-in-my/) [Alan Cumming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-cumming/) > [“Research on organised abuse emphasises the diversity of organised abuse cases, and the ways in which serious forms of child maltreatment cluster in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-salter/research-on-organised-abuse-emphasises-the-diversity-of-organised/) [Michael Salter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-salter/) > [“Stand up for yourself. 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