--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To admonish is better than to reproach…" description: "\"“To admonish is better than to reproach for admonition is mild and friendly, but reproach is harsh and insulting; and admonition corrects those who are..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a30/epictetus-413_admonition_to-admonish-is-better-than-to-reproach-f_2262053.jpg" --- # To admonish is better than to reproach for admonition is… ![“To admonish is better than to reproach for admonition is mild and friendly, but reproach is harsh and insulting; and admonition corrects those who are doing wrong, but reproach only convicts them.” quote by Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a30/epictetus-413_admonition_to-admonish-is-better-than-to-reproach-f_2262053.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a30/epictetus-413_admonition_to-admonish-is-better-than-to-reproach-f_2262053.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a30/epictetus-413_admonition_to-admonish-is-better-than-to-reproach-f_2262053.jpg) > ““To admonish is better than to reproach for admonition is mild and friendly, but reproach is harsh and insulting; and admonition corrects those who are doing wrong, but reproach only convicts them.”” [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Admonition is gentle correction, while reproach is harsh judgment; the former guides improvement, the latter merely condemns. **In simple terms:** Gentle correction helps more than harsh blame. Key Takeaway Choose gentle guidance. Themes ethics communication self-improvement Mood thoughtful practical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - parenting - leadership - education - conflict resolution Key Concepts philosophy psychology Questions to Reflect On - When is it appropriate to be direct? - How can you offer correction without causing resentment? A Different Perspective Harsh criticism can sometimes motivate change. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Admonish Better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/admonish-better-5208685/) [Admonition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/admonition/) [Admonition Corrects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/admonition-corrects-5208686/) [Correction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/correction/) [Insulting Admonition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/insulting-admonition-5208687/) [Reproach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reproach/) [Reproach Admonition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reproach-admonition-5208684/) ## Related quotes > [The best preservative to keep the mind in health is the faithful admonition of a friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/the-best-preservative-to-keep-the-mind-in-health-is-the-faithful/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [This whole process of education is to be religious, and not only religious, but Christian. And as Christianity is the only true religion, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-hodge/this-whole-process-of-education-is-to-be-religious-and-not-only/) [Charles Hodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-hodge/) > [To arrive at perfection, a man should have very sincere friends or inveterate enemies; because he would be made sensible of his good or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/to-arrive-at-perfection-a-man-should-have-very-sincere-friends-or/) [Diogenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes/) > [There needs to be an order of office, but in every single office that is presented in the Scriptures there is the personal emphasis…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-schaeffer/there-needs-to-be-an-order-of-office-but-in-every-single-office-that/) [Francis Schaeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-schaeffer/) > [What I mean by the Muse is that unimpeded clearness of the intuitive powers, which a perfectly truthful adherence to every admonition of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-fuller/what-i-mean-by-the-muse-is-that-unimpeded-clearness-of-the-intuitive/) [Margaret Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-fuller/) > [Keep Looking Up was my life's admonition I can do little else in my present position.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-horkheimer/keep-looking-up-was-my-life-s-admonition-i-can-do-little-else-in-my/) [Jack Horkheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-horkheimer/) > [It is a singular capriciousness of the human mind, that after all the admonitions we have had from experience on this head, there should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/it-is-a-singular-capriciousness-of-the-human-mind-that-after-all-the/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [Harsh reproof is like a violent storm, soon washed down the channel; but friendly admonitions, like a small shower, pierce deep, and bring forth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-chamberlain/harsh-reproof-is-like-a-violent-storm-soon-washed-down-the-channel/) [Roger Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-chamberlain/) > [Admonition never sinks so deeply on the heart as in the hour of trial; young, amiable as you are, life teems, I doubt not,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-maria-roche/admonition-never-sinks-so-deeply-on-the-heart-as-in-the-hour-of-trial/) [Regina Maria Roche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-maria-roche/) > [Lastly, I would address one general admonition to all: that they consider what are the true ends of knowledge, and that they seek it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/lastly-i-would-address-one-general-admonition-to-all-that-they/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [Reprehension is a kind of middle thing betwixt admonition and correction: it is sharpe admonition, but a milde correction. It is rather to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gouge/reprehension-is-a-kind-of-middle-thing-betwixt-admonition-and/) [William Gouge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gouge/) > [Far and away the most futile admonition Christ ever offered was when he said, 'Have no care for tomorrow. Don't worry about whether you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-quinn/far-and-away-the-most-futile-admonition-christ-ever-offered-was-when/) [Daniel Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-quinn/) > [Everyone interested in licensing our field might note that the reason licensing has been invented is to protect the public, not designers or clients.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milton-glaser/everyone-interested-in-licensing-our-field-might-note-that-the-reason/) [Milton Glaser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milton-glaser/) > [“gentle admonition." "Gentle admonition! Do you call that gentle admonition? Why, uncle, you are enough to frighten most people to death with your fury.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-d-e-n-southworth/gentle-admonition-gentle-admonition-do-you-call-that-gentle/) [E.D.E.N. Southworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-d-e-n-southworth/) > [The function of education has never been to free the mind and the spirit of man, but to bind them; and to the end…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jules-henry/the-function-of-education-has-never-been-to-free-the-mind-and-the/) [Jules Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jules-henry/) ## More by Epictetus > [“We are at the mercy of whoever wields authority over the things we either desire or detest. If you would be free, then, do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/we-are-at-the-mercy-of-whoever-wields-authority-over-the-things-we/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Practice yourself, for heaven's sake in little things, and then proceed to greater.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/practice-yourself-for-heaven-s-sake-in-little-things-and-then-proceed/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Do not laugh much or often or unrestrainedly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/do-not-laugh-much-or-often-or-unrestrainedly/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [When men are unhappy, they do not imagine they can ever cease to be so; and when some calamity has fallen on them, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/when-men-are-unhappy-they-do-not-imagine-they-can-ever-cease-to-be-so/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [We are not disturbed by what happens to us, but by our thoughts about what happens to us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/we-are-not-disturbed-by-what-happens-to-us-but-by-our-thoughts-about/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Don't be prideful with any excellence that is not your own](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/don-t-be-prideful-with-any-excellence-that-is-not-your-own/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [You know yourself what you are worth in your own eyes; and at what price you will sell yourself. For men sell themselves at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/you-know-yourself-what-you-are-worth-in-your-own-eyes-and-at-what/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Crows pick out the eyes of the dead, when the dead have no longer need of them; but flatterers mar the soul of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/crows-pick-out-the-eyes-of-the-dead-when-the-dead-have-no-longer-need/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [As a man, casting off worn out garments taketh new ones, so the dweller in the body, entereth into ones that are new.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/as-a-man-casting-off-worn-out-garments-taketh-new-ones-so-the-dweller/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [If you would improve, submit to be considered wihout sense and foolish with respect to externals. Wish to be considered to know nothing; and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/if-you-would-improve-submit-to-be-considered-wihout-sense-and-foolish/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [“For it is not death or pain that is to be feared, but the fear of pain or death.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/for-it-is-not-death-or-pain-that-is-to-be-feared-but-the-fear-of-pain/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [What else can I do, a lame old man, but sing hymns to God? If I were a nightingale, I would do the nightingale's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/what-else-can-i-do-a-lame-old-man-but-sing-hymns-to-god-if-i-were-a/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [People are disturbed not by things, but by the view they take of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/people-are-disturbed-not-by-things-but-by-the-view-they-take-of-them-2/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [“Small-minded people blame others. Average people blame themselves. The wise see all blame as foolishness”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/small-minded-people-blame-others-average-people-blame-themselves-the/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [All philosophy lies in two words, sustain and abstain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/all-philosophy-lies-in-two-words-sustain-and-abstain/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) [Explore all 577 Epictetus quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) ## More Admonition quotes > [The best preservative to keep the mind in health is the faithful admonition of a friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/the-best-preservative-to-keep-the-mind-in-health-is-the-faithful/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [“gentle admonition." "Gentle admonition! Do you call that gentle admonition? Why, uncle, you are enough to frighten most people to death with your fury.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-d-e-n-southworth/gentle-admonition-gentle-admonition-do-you-call-that-gentle/) [E.D.E.N. Southworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-d-e-n-southworth/) > [Everyone interested in licensing our field might note that the reason licensing has been invented is to protect the public, not designers or clients.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milton-glaser/everyone-interested-in-licensing-our-field-might-note-that-the-reason/) [Milton Glaser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milton-glaser/) > [Far and away the most futile admonition Christ ever offered was when he said, 'Have no care for tomorrow. Don't worry about whether you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-quinn/far-and-away-the-most-futile-admonition-christ-ever-offered-was-when/) [Daniel Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-quinn/) > [Reprehension is a kind of middle thing betwixt admonition and correction: it is sharpe admonition, but a milde correction. It is rather to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gouge/reprehension-is-a-kind-of-middle-thing-betwixt-admonition-and/) [William Gouge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gouge/) > [Lastly, I would address one general admonition to all: that they consider what are the true ends of knowledge, and that they seek it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/lastly-i-would-address-one-general-admonition-to-all-that-they/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [Admonition never sinks so deeply on the heart as in the hour of trial; young, amiable as you are, life teems, I doubt not,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-maria-roche/admonition-never-sinks-so-deeply-on-the-heart-as-in-the-hour-of-trial/) [Regina Maria Roche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-maria-roche/) > [Harsh reproof is like a violent storm, soon washed down the channel; but friendly admonitions, like a small shower, pierce deep, and bring forth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-chamberlain/harsh-reproof-is-like-a-violent-storm-soon-washed-down-the-channel/) [Roger Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-chamberlain/) > [It is a singular capriciousness of the human mind, that after all the admonitions we have had from experience on this head, there should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/it-is-a-singular-capriciousness-of-the-human-mind-that-after-all-the/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [Keep Looking Up was my life's admonition I can do little else in my present position.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-horkheimer/keep-looking-up-was-my-life-s-admonition-i-can-do-little-else-in-my/) [Jack Horkheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-horkheimer/) > [What I mean by the Muse is that unimpeded clearness of the intuitive powers, which a perfectly truthful adherence to every admonition of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-fuller/what-i-mean-by-the-muse-is-that-unimpeded-clearness-of-the-intuitive/) [Margaret Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-fuller/) > [There needs to be an order of office, but in every single office that is presented in the Scriptures there is the personal emphasis…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-schaeffer/there-needs-to-be-an-order-of-office-but-in-every-single-office-that/) [Francis Schaeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-schaeffer/) > [To arrive at perfection, a man should have very sincere friends or inveterate enemies; because he would be made sensible of his good or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/to-arrive-at-perfection-a-man-should-have-very-sincere-friends-or/) [Diogenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes/) > [This whole process of education is to be religious, and not only religious, but Christian. And as Christianity is the only true religion, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-hodge/this-whole-process-of-education-is-to-be-religious-and-not-only/) [Charles Hodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-hodge/) > [The function of education has never been to free the mind and the spirit of man, but to bind them; and to the end…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jules-henry/the-function-of-education-has-never-been-to-free-the-mind-and-the/) [Jules Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jules-henry/) [Browse all 65 Admonition quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/admonition/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“To admonish is better than to reproach for admonition is mild and friendly, but reproach is harsh and insulting; and admonition corrects those who are doing wrong, but reproach only convicts them.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Epictetus" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/to-admonish-is-better-than-to-reproach-for-admonition-is-mild-and/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Admonition" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/to-admonish-is-better-than-to-reproach-for-admonition-is-mild-and/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a30/epictetus-413_admonition_to-admonish-is-better-than-to-reproach-f_2262053.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a30/epictetus-413_admonition_to-admonish-is-better-than-to-reproach-f_2262053.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a30/epictetus-413_admonition_to-admonish-is-better-than-to-reproach-f_2262053.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“To admonish is better than to reproach for admonition is mild and friendly, but reproach is harsh and…” — Epictetus", "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": "Epictetus", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“To admonish is better than to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/to-admonish-is-better-than-to-reproach-for-admonition-is-mild-and/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/to-admonish-is-better-than-to-reproach-for-admonition-is-mild-and/#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 } } ] } ```