--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is often lamented by the churchmen…" description: "\"It is often lamented by the churchmen that Washington and Lincoln possessed little religion except that found in the word 'God.' All that can here be a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/395/david-swing-53035_atheism_it-is-often-lamented-by-the-churchmen-th_530473.jpg" --- # It is often lamented by the churchmen that Washington and… ![“It is often lamented by the churchmen that Washington and Lincoln possessed little religion except that found in the word 'God.' All that can here be affirmed is that what the religion of those two men lacked in theological details it made up in greatness. Their minds were born with a love of…” quote by David Swing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/395/david-swing-53035_atheism_it-is-often-lamented-by-the-churchmen-th_530473.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/395/david-swing-53035_atheism_it-is-often-lamented-by-the-churchmen-th_530473.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/395/david-swing-53035_atheism_it-is-often-lamented-by-the-churchmen-th_530473.jpg) > “It is often lamented by the churchmen that Washington and Lincoln possessed little religion except that found in the word 'God.' All that can here be affirmed is that what the religion of those two men lacked in theological details it made up in greatness. Their minds were born with a love of great principles... There are few instances in which a mind great enough to reach great principles in politics has been satisfied with a fanatical religion... It must not be asked for Washington and Lincoln that, having reached greatness in political principles, they should have loved littleness in piety.” [David Swing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-swing/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote argues that Washington and Lincoln’s moral greatness stemmed from their commitment to lofty political principles rather than detailed theological doctrine, suggesting that true leadership can be grounded in broad, principled belief rather than strict piety. **In simple terms:** Great leaders rely on broad principles more than strict religion. Key Takeaway Value principled action over rigid doctrine. Themes leadership principles religion politics morality Mood reflective inspirational Type historical philosophical motivational When to use this quote - Political decision making - ethical leadership - public speaking - historical analysis Key Concepts Secularism civic virtue greatness Questions to Reflect On - How do principles guide actions without detailed doctrine? - Can moral authority exist without religious grounding? A Different Perspective It may overlook the personal spiritual struggles that also shape leaders. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/) [Born](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/born/) [Churchmen Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/churchmen-washington-4457445/) [Details](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/details/) [Enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enough/) [Found](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/found/) [Greatness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatness/) [Greatness Political](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatness-political-4457444/) [Has beens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/has-beens/) [Instance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instance/) [Lacked Theological](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lacked-theological-4457446/) [Littleness Piety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/littleness-piety-4457443/) [Littles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/littles/) [Made](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/made/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Piety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/piety/) [Political](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political/) [Positive atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive-atheism/) [Possessed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possessed/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Religion Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion-men-369895/) [Satisfied](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/satisfied/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Should have](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should-have/) [Theological](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theological/) [Two](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two/) ## Related quotes > [“Americans tend to prefer their presidents on horseback: heroes who dream big and sound trumpets. 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But men of sense never tell what it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-ashley-cooper-7th-earl-of-shaftesbury/men-of-sense-are-really-all-of-one-religion-but-men-of-sense-never/) [Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-ashley-cooper-7th-earl-of-shaftesbury/) > [There is more religion in men's science, than there is science in their religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/there-is-more-religion-in-men-s-science-than-there-is-science-in/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [The world is divided into men who have wit and no religion and men who have religion and no wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/avicenna/the-world-is-divided-into-men-who-have-wit-and-no-religion-and-men/) [Avicenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/avicenna/) > [Most men's anger about religion is as if two men should quarrel for a lady that neither of them care for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-savile/most-men-s-anger-about-religion-is-as-if-two-men-should-quarrel-for-a/) [George Savile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-savile/) > [ The young man \[Turgot\] destined for an ecclesiastical career was placed within walls carefully designed to keep out all currents of new thought; his… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-dickson-white/the-young-man-turgot-destined-for-an-ecclesiastical-career-was-placed/) [Andrew Dickson White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-dickson-white/) ## More by David Swing > [The life of Lincoln should never be passed by in silence by young or old. 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