--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When we think of the ideal, we do not add…" description: "\"When we think of the ideal, we do not add virtue to virtue, but think of Jesus Christ, so that the standard of human life is no longer a code, but a ch..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/732/e-stanley-jones-4545_character_when-we-think-of-the-ideal-we-do-not-add_1896518.jpg" --- # When we think of the ideal, we do not add virtue to… ![“When we think of the ideal, we do not add virtue to virtue, but think of Jesus Christ, so that the standard of human life is no longer a code, but a character.” quote by E. Stanley Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/732/e-stanley-jones-4545_character_when-we-think-of-the-ideal-we-do-not-add_1896518.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/732/e-stanley-jones-4545_character_when-we-think-of-the-ideal-we-do-not-add_1896518.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/732/e-stanley-jones-4545_character_when-we-think-of-the-ideal-we-do-not-add_1896518.jpg) > “When we think of the ideal, we do not add virtue to virtue, but think of Jesus Christ, so that the standard of human life is no longer a code, but a character.” [E. Stanley Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-stanley-jones/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The ideal is modeled on Christ, turning moral standards into personal character rather than mere rules. **In simple terms:** Christ sets a character standard, not just rules. Key Takeaway Live with Christ‑like character. Themes faith character spirituality Mood reflective inspirational Type theological motivational When to use this quote - personal growth - leadership - ethical decision making Key Concepts Christian ethics imitation of Christ Questions to Reflect On - How can you embody Christ‑like character daily? - What rules do you need to transform into character? A Different Perspective Human nature often defaults to rule‑following; character development requires intentional practice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Human](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human/) [Human life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-life/) [Jesus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jesus/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Programming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/programming/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) ## Related quotes > [Character is supreme in life, hence Jesus stood supreme in the supreme thing - so supreme that, when we think of the ideal, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-stanley-jones/character-is-supreme-in-life-hence-jesus-stood-supreme-in-the-supreme/) [E. Stanley Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-stanley-jones/) > [The Bible places supreme value in the thought life. "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he," Solomon wrote. Jesus asserted that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/the-bible-places-supreme-value-in-the-thought-life-as-a-man-thinketh/) [Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/) > [I can't let anyone bring me down by comparing me to their own standards. Christ is my standard not man. And only He is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/i-can-t-let-anyone-bring-me-down-by-comparing-me-to-their-own/) [Terry Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mark/) > [Well, every little boy thinks he invented sin. Virtue we think we learn, because we are told about it. But sin is our own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/well-every-little-boy-thinks-he-invented-sin-virtue-we-think-we-learn/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [Guided by nothing but pop culture values, many children no longer learn how to think about morality and virtue, or to think of them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-bauer/guided-by-nothing-but-pop-culture-values-many-children-no-longer/) [Gary Bauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-bauer/) > [The great virtue, I think, of studying Aristotle - and, more importantly, taking him seriously as a possible teacher - is that he presents…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-roochnik/the-great-virtue-i-think-of-studying-aristotle-and-more-importantly/) [David Roochnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-roochnik/) > [For us, with the rule of right and wrong given us by Christ, there is nothing for which we have no standard. And there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/for-us-with-the-rule-of-right-and-wrong-given-us-by-christ-there-is/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [“Christ is my standard, the Bible is my guide, and His Blood is my healer. On the narrow way I press on looking forward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anya-vonderluft/christ-is-my-standard-the-bible-is-my-guide-and-his-blood-is-my/) [Anya vonderLuft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anya-vonderluft/) > [O let us still the secret joy partake, To follow virtue even for virtue's sake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/o-let-us-still-the-secret-joy-partake-to-follow-virtue-even-for/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Any of us can achieve virtue, if by virtue we merely mean the avoidance of the vices that do not attract us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-staughton-lynd/any-of-us-can-achieve-virtue-if-by-virtue-we-merely-mean-the/) [Robert Staughton Lynd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-staughton-lynd/) > [The only reward of virtue is virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-only-reward-of-virtue-is-virtue/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Virtue could see to do what virtue would By her own radiant light, though sun and moon Were in the flat sea sunk. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/virtue-could-see-to-do-what-virtue-would-by-her-own-radiant-light/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Happiness is not the reward of virtue, but is virtue itself; nor do we delight in happiness because we restrain from our lusts; but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/happiness-is-not-the-reward-of-virtue-but-is-virtue-itself-nor-do-we/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Virtue is virtue only when it is spontaneous; virtue is virtue only when it is natural, unpractised - when it comes out of your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/virtue-is-virtue-only-when-it-is-spontaneous-virtue-is-virtue-only/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [Which is more misshapen,--religion without virtue, or virtue without religion?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-joubert/which-is-more-misshapen-religion-without-virtue-or-virtue-without/) [Joseph Joubert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-joubert/) ## More by E. Stanley Jones > [The action carries a sense of incompleteness and frustration, but not of guilt. Victorious living does not mean perfect living in the sense of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-stanley-jones/the-action-carries-a-sense-of-incompleteness-and-frustration-but-not/) [E. Stanley Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-stanley-jones/) > [Many live in dread of what is coming. Why should we? The unknown puts adventure into life. ... The unexpected around the corner gives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-stanley-jones/many-live-in-dread-of-what-is-coming-why-should-we-the-unknown-puts/) [E. Stanley Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-stanley-jones/) > [The love of God invades me, the peace of God pervades me, the will of God persuades me, and I am wholly His.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-stanley-jones/the-love-of-god-invades-me-the-peace-of-god-pervades-me-the-will-of/) [E. Stanley Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-stanley-jones/) > [Your capacity to say "No" determines your capacity to say "Yes" to greater things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-stanley-jones/your-capacity-to-say-no-determines-your-capacity-to-say-yes-to/) [E. Stanley Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-stanley-jones/) > [A road that perhaps more than any other leads to self atrophy is undedicated money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-stanley-jones/a-road-that-perhaps-more-than-any-other-leads-to-self-atrophy-is/) [E. Stanley Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-stanley-jones/) > [Recognize negativism and inferiority attitudes as enemies - do not try to dress them as your friends. you will be tempted to look upon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-stanley-jones/recognize-negativism-and-inferiority-attitudes-as-enemies-do-not-try/) [E. 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Stanley Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-stanley-jones/) > [Whatever we focus on determines what we become.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-stanley-jones/whatever-we-focus-on-determines-what-we-become/) [E. Stanley Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-stanley-jones/) > [In the pure, strong hours of the morning, when the soul of the day is at its best, lean upon the window sill of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-stanley-jones/in-the-pure-strong-hours-of-the-morning-when-the-soul-of-the-day-is/) [E. Stanley Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-stanley-jones/) > [Everything that happens to me can help me along in my Christian life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-stanley-jones/everything-that-happens-to-me-can-help-me-along-in-my-christian-life/) [E. Stanley Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-stanley-jones/) > [To live by worry is to live against reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-stanley-jones/to-live-by-worry-is-to-live-against-reality/) [E. Stanley Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-stanley-jones/) > [If we know how to pray, we know how to live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-stanley-jones/if-we-know-how-to-pray-we-know-how-to-live/) [E. Stanley Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-stanley-jones/) > [While love takes on itself impossible tasks, yet it finds that love lightens all loads. It is the same burden that wings are to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-stanley-jones/while-love-takes-on-itself-impossible-tasks-yet-it-finds-that-love/) [E. Stanley Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-stanley-jones/) [Explore all 109 E. 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