--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The preacher's sharpest and strongest…" description: "\"The preacher's sharpest and strongest preaching should be to himself. His most difficult, delicate, laborious, and thorough work must be with himself.\"..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d52/edward-mckendree-bounds-1955_delicate_the-preacher-s-sharpest-and-strongest-pr_1980338.png" --- # The preacher's sharpest and strongest preaching should be… ![“The preacher's sharpest and strongest preaching should be to himself. His most difficult, delicate, laborious, and thorough work must be with himself.” quote by Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d52/edward-mckendree-bounds-1955_delicate_the-preacher-s-sharpest-and-strongest-pr_1980338.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d52/edward-mckendree-bounds-1955_delicate_the-preacher-s-sharpest-and-strongest-pr_1980338.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d52/edward-mckendree-bounds-1955_delicate_the-preacher-s-sharpest-and-strongest-pr_1980338.png) > “The preacher's sharpest and strongest preaching should be to himself. His most difficult, delicate, laborious, and thorough work must be with himself.” [Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Self‑examination is the hardest yet most vital preaching work. **In simple terms:** Preach to yourself first. Key Takeaway Prioritize personal integrity. Themes self‑discipline spiritual growth humility reflection inner work Mood contemplative serene Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - daily journaling - quiet meditation - confession - ethical decision‑making Key Concepts self‑critique spiritual formation Questions to Reflect On - What inner habits need your honest attention? - How do you practice self‑forgiveness? A Different Perspective Self‑criticism can become paralyzing if not balanced with compassion. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Laborious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laborious/) [Preacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preacher/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Sharpest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sharpest/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) ## Related quotes > [Natural ability and educational advantages do not figure as factors in this matter of prayer; but a capacity for faith, the power of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-mckendree-bounds/natural-ability-and-educational-advantages-do-not-figure-as-factors/) [Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) > [I'm still stupid. I still do what I'm not supposed to do. Are you serious? I'm Jake 'The Snake,' man. I never claimed to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-roberts/i-m-still-stupid-i-still-do-what-i-m-not-supposed-to-do-are-you/) [Jake Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-roberts/) > [They're not the sharpest people - babies. So, you must be everything to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-reiser/they-re-not-the-sharpest-people-babies-so-you-must-be-everything-to/) [Paul Reiser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-reiser/) > [I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer but hey, at least I can still cut!..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-am-not-the-sharpest-knife-in-the-drawer-but-hey-at-least-i-can/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer. I just work hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kemba-walker/i-m-not-the-sharpest-knife-in-the-drawer-i-just-work-hard/) [Kemba Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kemba-walker/) > [For its health, cricket needs to look outward to the sharpest minds, to people who sustain and nurture brands and often take hard but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harsha-bhogle/for-its-health-cricket-needs-to-look-outward-to-the-sharpest-minds-to/) [Harsha Bhogle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harsha-bhogle/) > [“Truth is the sharpest tool with which to cut and it only, cuts deep.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/avery-camden/truth-is-the-sharpest-tool-with-which-to-cut-and-it-only-cuts-deep/) [Avery Camden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/avery-camden/) > [I'm sharpest early, and though I can rewrite any time, day or night, I'm useless after noon when it comes to writing first draft.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hallie-ephron/i-m-sharpest-early-and-though-i-can-rewrite-any-time-day-or-night-i-m/) [Hallie Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hallie-ephron/) > [The sharpest tools in the box are not always the best tools for the job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-stone/the-sharpest-tools-in-the-box-are-not-always-the-best-tools-for-the/) [Craig Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-stone/) > [“It's not until you're broken that you find your sharpest edge”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-lawrence/it-s-not-until-you-re-broken-that-you-find-your-sharpest-edge/) [Mark Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-lawrence/) > [In the long run, the sharpest weapon of all is a kind and gentle spirit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-frank/in-the-long-run-the-sharpest-weapon-of-all-is-a-kind-and-gentle-spirit/) [Anne Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-frank/) > [My agent is the quickest, sharpest man on earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christoph-waltz/my-agent-is-the-quickest-sharpest-man-on-earth/) [Christoph Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christoph-waltz/) > [I used to want to be the quickest, loudest, and sharpest. I think as time has gone on, I've gotten more relaxed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debbie-gibson/i-used-to-want-to-be-the-quickest-loudest-and-sharpest-i-think-as/) [Debbie Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debbie-gibson/) > [You Canucks are not the sharpest knives in the drawer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-michaels/you-canucks-are-not-the-sharpest-knives-in-the-drawer/) [Shawn Michaels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-michaels/) > [“He didn’t seem like the sharpest tool in the shed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-unger/he-didn-t-seem-like-the-sharpest-tool-in-the-shed/) [Lisa Unger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-unger/) ## More by Edward McKendree Bounds > [Importunity is a condition of prayer. We are to press the matter, not with vain repetitions, but with urgent repetitions. We repeat, not to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-mckendree-bounds/importunity-is-a-condition-of-prayer-we-are-to-press-the-matter-not/) [Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) > [The pride of learning is against the dependent humility of prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-mckendree-bounds/the-pride-of-learning-is-against-the-dependent-humility-of-prayer/) [Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) > [Men who pray are, in reality, the only religious men, and it takes a full-measured man to pray.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-mckendree-bounds/men-who-pray-are-in-reality-the-only-religious-men-and-it-takes-a/) [Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) > [If God is not first in our thoughts and efforts in the morning, He will be in the last place the remainder of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-mckendree-bounds/if-god-is-not-first-in-our-thoughts-and-efforts-in-the-morning-he/) [Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) > [Prayer is a specific divine appointment, an ordinance of Heaven, whereby God purposes to carry out His gracious designs on earth and to execute…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-mckendree-bounds/prayer-is-a-specific-divine-appointment-an-ordinance-of-heaven/) [Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) > [It is necessary to iterate and reiterate that prayer, as a mere habit, as a performance gone through by routine or in a professional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-mckendree-bounds/it-is-necessary-to-iterate-and-reiterate-that-prayer-as-a-mere-habit/) [Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) > [There is power through prayer. For many Christians, prayer is nothing special, just something we're supposed to do - go to church, tithe, read…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-mckendree-bounds/there-is-power-through-prayer-for-many-christians-prayer-is-nothing/) [Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) > [The most important lesson we can learn is how to pray. Prayers do not die, prayers live before God, and God's heart is set…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-mckendree-bounds/the-most-important-lesson-we-can-learn-is-how-to-pray-prayers-do-not/) [Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) > [If we would have God in the closet, God must have us out of the closet. There is no way of praying to God,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-mckendree-bounds/if-we-would-have-god-in-the-closet-god-must-have-us-out-of-the-closet/) [Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) > [They are not leaders because of brilliancy. ...but because, by the power of prayer, they could command the power of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-mckendree-bounds/they-are-not-leaders-because-of-brilliancy-but-because-by-the-power/) [Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) > [God's Word does not say, "Call unto me, and you will thereby be trained into the happy art of knowing how to be denied.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-mckendree-bounds/god-s-word-does-not-say-call-unto-me-and-you-will-thereby-be-trained/) [Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) > [The resurrection of Jesus Christ was necessary to establish the truth of his mission and put the stamp of all-conquering power on his gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-mckendree-bounds/the-resurrection-of-jesus-christ-was-necessary-to-establish-the-truth/) [Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) > [Jesus taught that perseverance is the essential element of prayer. Men must be in earnest when they kneel at God's footstool. Too often we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-mckendree-bounds/jesus-taught-that-perseverance-is-the-essential-element-of-prayer-men/) [Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) > [Prayer makes a godly man, and puts within him "the mind of Christ," the mind of humility, of self-surrender, of service, of pity, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-mckendree-bounds/prayer-makes-a-godly-man-and-puts-within-him-the-mind-of-christ-the/) [Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) > [Prayer, like faith, obtains promises, enlarges their operation, and adds to the measure of their results.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-mckendree-bounds/prayer-like-faith-obtains-promises-enlarges-their-operation-and-adds/) [Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) [Explore all 195 Edward McKendree Bounds quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) ## More Delicate quotes > [Mortals are such fragile things. Just tender feelings walking around exposed in their delicate shells...Easy to crush.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-marr/mortals-are-such-fragile-things-just-tender-feelings-walking-around/) [Melissa Marr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-marr/) > [When you see how fragile and delicate life can be, all else fades into the background.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenna-morasca/when-you-see-how-fragile-and-delicate-life-can-be-all-else-fades-into/) [Jenna Morasca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenna-morasca/) > [It's my intention to make something stand outside the realm of album art, but it also feels comfortable to me to be in it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dyer-baizley/it-s-my-intention-to-make-something-stand-outside-the-realm-of-album/) [John Dyer Baizley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dyer-baizley/) > [The line between being a nurturing parent and an over-bearing, damaging parent is one that's very delicate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-wright/the-line-between-being-a-nurturing-parent-and-an-over-bearing/) [Jeffrey Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-wright/) > [Tachyon OPC+ is a natural extension of our market-winning Tachyon platform, giving customers a clear path to minimizing the OPC error budget and producing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-vaughan/tachyon-opc-is-a-natural-extension-of-our-market-winning-tachyon/) [Bill Vaughan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-vaughan/) > [Ruin, eldest daughter of Zeus, she blinds us all, that fatal madness—she with those delicate feet of hers, never touching the earth, gliding over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/ruin-eldest-daughter-of-zeus-she-blinds-us-all-that-fatal-madness-she/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [I hope the day will come when a wasp-waist and a pair of thin shoulders will not be esteemed beauty: we have had our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-mcnair-wright/i-hope-the-day-will-come-when-a-wasp-waist-and-a-pair-of-thin/) [Julia McNair Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-mcnair-wright/) > [Many persons have been confused and discouraged at the very outset of the study by the great variety and the delicate distinctions of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-staunton/many-persons-have-been-confused-and-discouraged-at-the-very-outset-of/) [Howard Staunton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-staunton/) > [To joke in the face of danger is the supreme politeness, a delicate refusal to cast oneself as a tragic hero.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmond-rostand/to-joke-in-the-face-of-danger-is-the-supreme-politeness-a-delicate/) [Edmond Rostand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmond-rostand/) > [I am a frayed and nibbled survivor in a fallen world, and I am getting along. 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