--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Lord, forgive me if my need Sometimes…" description: "\"Lord, forgive me if my need Sometimes shapes a human creed.\" — Countee Cullen" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ec/countee-cullen-16922_creeds_lord-forgive-me-if-my-need-sometimes-sha_1992570.jpg" --- # Lord, forgive me if my need Sometimes shapes a human creed. ![“Lord, forgive me if my need Sometimes shapes a human creed.” quote by Countee Cullen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ec/countee-cullen-16922_creeds_lord-forgive-me-if-my-need-sometimes-sha_1992570.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ec/countee-cullen-16922_creeds_lord-forgive-me-if-my-need-sometimes-sha_1992570.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ec/countee-cullen-16922_creeds_lord-forgive-me-if-my-need-sometimes-sha_1992570.jpg) > “Lord, forgive me if my need Sometimes shapes a human creed.” [Countee Cullen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/countee-cullen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Expresses humility and the desire for forgiveness when personal needs shape one’s values. **In simple terms:** Seek forgiveness for selfishness. Key Takeaway Reflect on personal motives. Themes humility forgiveness self‑examination Mood reflective somber Type spiritual philosophical When to use this quote - personal counseling - ethical decision‑making Key Concepts moral introspection spirituality Questions to Reflect On - What drives your actions? - How can you align needs with greater good? A Different Perspective It may assume all needs are selfish. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Creed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creed/) [Creeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creeds/) [Forgiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness/) [Forgiving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiving/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Lord](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lord/) [Lord forgive me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lord-forgive-me/) [Shapes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shapes/) ## Related quotes > [And all of a sudden, all of my sins came before me. Everything I had ever done wrong that I had forgotten about years…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/and-all-of-a-sudden-all-of-my-sins-came-before-me-everything-i-had/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [The thing I want to really say is that I still mess up. I still go out there and say things on TV that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherri-shepherd/the-thing-i-want-to-really-say-is-that-i-still-mess-up-i-still-go-out/) [Sherri Shepherd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherri-shepherd/) > [Dear Lord, forgive me for all of the times I've compared myself to others. I know that You have hand-picked all of my qualities.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lysa-terkeurst/dear-lord-forgive-me-for-all-of-the-times-i-ve-compared-myself-to/) [Lysa TerKeurst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lysa-terkeurst/) > [Can the Lord forgive me? Got the spirit of a thug in me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tupac-shakur/can-the-lord-forgive-me-got-the-spirit-of-a-thug-in-me/) [Tupac Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tupac-shakur/) > [I am a sinner…who's probably gonna sin again...Lord forgive me!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kendrick-lamar/i-am-a-sinner-who-s-probably-gonna-sin-again-lord-forgive-me/) [Kendrick Lamar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kendrick-lamar/) > [Your sins are great? Just tell the Lord: Forgive me, help me to get up again, change my heart!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/your-sins-are-great-just-tell-the-lord-forgive-me-help-me-to-get-up/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [Seeking - really seeking - is more than just reading a few verses from the Bible in the morning and trying to be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lysa-terkeurst/seeking-really-seeking-is-more-than-just-reading-a-few-verses-from/) [Lysa TerKeurst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lysa-terkeurst/) > [Jesus understands our weaknesses and sins; and he forgives us if we allow ourselves to be forgiven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/jesus-understands-our-weaknesses-and-sins-and-he-forgives-us-if-we/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [If I repent now will God forgive me? No, but if God forgives you, you will repent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabia-basri/if-i-repent-now-will-god-forgive-me-no-but-if-god-forgives-you-you/) [Rabia Basri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rabia-basri/) > [I think there are more people waiting to forgive me than I need to forgive them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-mcgraw/i-think-there-are-more-people-waiting-to-forgive-me-than-i-need-to/) [Tim McGraw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-mcgraw/) > [I shall be an autocrat: that's my trade. And the good Lord will forgive me: that's his.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-the-great/i-shall-be-an-autocrat-that-s-my-trade-and-the-good-lord-will-forgive/) [Catherine the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-the-great/) > [If you do not have the power to compete with the best believers in good deeds, then compete with the sinners in asking for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ibn-rajab/if-you-do-not-have-the-power-to-compete-with-the-best-believers-in/) [Ibn Rajab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ibn-rajab/) > [A Catholic may sin and sin as badly as anyone else, but no genuine Catholic ever denies he is a sinner. A Catholic wants…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/a-catholic-may-sin-and-sin-as-badly-as-anyone-else-but-no-genuine/) [Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/) > [Heaven is populated entirely by forgiven sinners](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-farrar-capon/heaven-is-populated-entirely-by-forgiven-sinners/) [Robert Farrar Capon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-farrar-capon/) > [You've never gone too far that God can't redeem you, restore you, forgive you, and give you a second chance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lysa-terkeurst/you-ve-never-gone-too-far-that-god-can-t-redeem-you-restore-you/) [Lysa TerKeurst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lysa-terkeurst/) ## More by Countee Cullen > [There is no secret to success except hard work and getting something indefinable which we call 'the breaks.' In order for a writer to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/countee-cullen/there-is-no-secret-to-success-except-hard-work-and-getting-something/) [Countee Cullen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/countee-cullen/) > [The night whose sable breast relieves the stark, White stars, is no less lovely being dark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/countee-cullen/the-night-whose-sable-breast-relieves-the-stark-white-stars-is-no/) [Countee Cullen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/countee-cullen/) > [Dame Poverty gave me my name, And Pain godfathered me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/countee-cullen/dame-poverty-gave-me-my-name-and-pain-godfathered-me/) [Countee Cullen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/countee-cullen/) > [There is no secret to success except hard work and getting something indefinable which we call 'the breaks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/countee-cullen/there-is-no-secret-to-success-except-hard-work-and-getting-something-2/) [Countee Cullen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/countee-cullen/) > [Ever at Thy glowing altar Must my heart grow sick and falter, Wishing He I served were black.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/countee-cullen/ever-at-thy-glowing-altar-must-my-heart-grow-sick-and-falter-wishing/) [Countee Cullen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/countee-cullen/) > [I have a rendezvous with life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/countee-cullen/i-have-a-rendezvous-with-life/) [Countee Cullen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/countee-cullen/) > [“My poetry, I think, has become the way of my giving out what music is within me”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/countee-cullen/my-poetry-i-think-has-become-the-way-of-my-giving-out-what-music-is/) [Countee Cullen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/countee-cullen/) > [All day long and all night through, One thing only must I do: Quench my pride and cool my blood, Lest I perish in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/countee-cullen/all-day-long-and-all-night-through-one-thing-only-must-i-do-quench-my/) [Countee Cullen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/countee-cullen/) > [Africa? A book one thumbs Listlessly, till slumber comes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/countee-cullen/africa-a-book-one-thumbs-listlessly-till-slumber-comes/) [Countee Cullen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/countee-cullen/) > [What is Africa to me: Copper sun or scarlet sea, Jungle star or jungle track, Strong bronzed men, or regal black Women from whose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/countee-cullen/what-is-africa-to-me-copper-sun-or-scarlet-sea-jungle-star-or-jungle/) [Countee Cullen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/countee-cullen/) > [Your love to me was like an unread book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/countee-cullen/your-love-to-me-was-like-an-unread-book/) [Countee Cullen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/countee-cullen/) > [Give but a grain of the heart's rich seed, Confine some under cover, And when love goes, bid him God-speed. And find another lover.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/countee-cullen/give-but-a-grain-of-the-heart-s-rich-seed-confine-some-under-cover/) [Countee Cullen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/countee-cullen/) > [Whatever lives is granted breath But by the grace and sufferance of Death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/countee-cullen/whatever-lives-is-granted-breath-but-by-the-grace-and-sufferance-of/) [Countee Cullen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/countee-cullen/) > [The loss of love is a terrible thing; They lie who say that death is worse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/countee-cullen/the-loss-of-love-is-a-terrible-thing-they-lie-who-say-that-death-is/) [Countee Cullen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/countee-cullen/) > [My poetry has become the way of my giving out what music is within me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/countee-cullen/my-poetry-has-become-the-way-of-my-giving-out-what-music-is-within-me/) [Countee Cullen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/countee-cullen/) [Explore all 38 Countee Cullen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/countee-cullen/) ## More Creed quotes > [Raves when it was safe to be free & wave your hands in the air, like you didn't even care! Not scared to break…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/progrezza/raves-when-it-was-safe-to-be-free-wave-your-hands-in-the-air-like-you/) [Progrezza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/progrezza/) > [A catechism is simply a tool for teaching the fundamentals of the faith. Unlike a creed or confession, a catechism uses questions and answers.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/a-catechism-is-simply-a-tool-for-teaching-the-fundamentals-of-the/) [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) > [My creed is that: Happiness is the only good. The place to be happy is here. The time to be happy is now. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/my-creed-is-that-happiness-is-the-only-good-the-place-to-be-happy-is/) [Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/) > [“Um, baby? You never watch soaps." He took a swig from the bottle. "All the backstabbing and cheating and fucking makes my life look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-croft/um-baby-you-never-watch-soaps-he-took-a-swig-from-the-bottle-all-the/) [Sydney Croft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-croft/) > [“The certainty of God is beyond a creed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/the-certainty-of-god-is-beyond-a-creed/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [ “There exists indeed an opposition to it \[ building of UVA, Jefferson's secular college \] by the friends of William and Mary, which is… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/there-exists-indeed-an-opposition-to-it-building-of-uva-jefferson-s/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Logic has its use and metaphysics has its use, but neither of them is of much help in the making of a creed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-de-witt-talmage/logic-has-its-use-and-metaphysics-has-its-use-but-neither-of-them-is/) [Thomas De Witt Talmage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-de-witt-talmage/) > [“What is the truth?’ he asked. ‘We place faith in ourselves,’ replied Altaïr (...) ‘We see the world as it really is, and hope…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-bowden/what-is-the-truth-he-asked-we-place-faith-in-ourselves-replied-alta-r/) [Oliver Bowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-bowden/) > [It is not merely true that a creed unites men. Nay, a difference of creed unites men - so long as it is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/it-is-not-merely-true-that-a-creed-unites-men-nay-a-difference-of/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [“My creed on the subject of slavery is short. Slavery per se is not sin. It is a social condition ordained from the beginning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-morse/my-creed-on-the-subject-of-slavery-is-short-slavery-per-se-is-not-sin/) [Samuel Morse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-morse/) > [“This man's spiritual power has been precisely this, that he has distinguished between custom and creed. He has broken the conventions, but he has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-k-chesterton/this-man-s-spiritual-power-has-been-precisely-this-that-he-has/) [G.K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-k-chesterton/) > [“Love – Acceptance – Unity – Peace –Integrity – Respect… a strong, pure creed is short on words and long on nourishing ideas. For…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/love-acceptance-unity-peace-integrity-respect-a-strong-pure-creed-is/) [Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/) > [Creed's sound is my sound.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-stapp/creed-s-sound-is-my-sound/) [Scott Stapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-stapp/) > ['Rocky' is an incredibly human story, and 'Creed' is very inspired by the Rocky lore, but there's something kind of profound in letting it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-coogler/rocky-is-an-incredibly-human-story-and-creed-is-very-inspired-by-the/) [Ryan Coogler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-coogler/) > [Buddhism is not a creed, it is a doubt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/buddhism-is-not-a-creed-it-is-a-doubt/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) [Browse all 183 Creed quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creed/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Lord, forgive me if my need Sometimes shapes a human creed.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Countee Cullen" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/countee-cullen/lord-forgive-me-if-my-need-sometimes-shapes-a-human-creed/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Creed" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/countee-cullen/lord-forgive-me-if-my-need-sometimes-shapes-a-human-creed/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ec/countee-cullen-16922_creeds_lord-forgive-me-if-my-need-sometimes-sha_1992570.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ec/countee-cullen-16922_creeds_lord-forgive-me-if-my-need-sometimes-sha_1992570.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ec/countee-cullen-16922_creeds_lord-forgive-me-if-my-need-sometimes-sha_1992570.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Lord, forgive me if my need Sometimes shapes a human creed.” — Countee Cullen", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Countee Cullen", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/countee-cullen/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Lord, forgive me if my need...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/countee-cullen/lord-forgive-me-if-my-need-sometimes-shapes-a-human-creed/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/countee-cullen/lord-forgive-me-if-my-need-sometimes-shapes-a-human-creed/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```