--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A good man not only forbears those…" description: "\"A good man not only forbears those gratifications which are forbidden by reason and religion, but even restrains himself in unforbidden instances.\" — F..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48f/francis-atterbury-20391_forbidden_a-good-man-not-only-forbears-those-grati_1384377.jpg" --- # A good man not only forbears those gratifications which… ![“A good man not only forbears those gratifications which are forbidden by reason and religion, but even restrains himself in unforbidden instances.” quote by Francis Atterbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48f/francis-atterbury-20391_forbidden_a-good-man-not-only-forbears-those-grati_1384377.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48f/francis-atterbury-20391_forbidden_a-good-man-not-only-forbears-those-grati_1384377.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48f/francis-atterbury-20391_forbidden_a-good-man-not-only-forbears-those-grati_1384377.jpg) > “A good man not only forbears those gratifications which are forbidden by reason and religion, but even restrains himself in unforbidden instances.” [Francis Atterbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-atterbury/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A virtuous person controls both illegal desires and lawful pleasures, exercising self‑restraint in all circumstances. **In simple terms:** Good people restrain themselves always. Key Takeaway Practice self‑control everywhere. Themes virtue self‑discipline morality Mood reflective serious Type ethical philosophical When to use this quote - personal relationships - business decisions - financial spending - dietary habits Key Concepts reason religion ethics Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance discipline with joy? - When is restraint harmful? A Different Perspective Self‑restraint can be exhausting and may suppress healthy enjoyment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Forbidden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forbidden/) [Good man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-man/) [Gratification](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gratification/) [Gratifications Forbidden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gratifications-forbidden-4806534/) [Instance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instance/) [Man Forbears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-forbears-4806533/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Religion Restrains](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion-restrains-4806532/) [Restrains Unforbidden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/restrains-unforbidden-4806531/) [Sacrifice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sacrifice/) ## Related quotes > [One moment of gratification is not worth a lifetime of being unhappy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-moment-of-gratification-is-not-worth-a-lifetime-of-being-unhappy/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [While business advertises, charity is taught to beg. 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Yet in truth, ignorance, greed, and the scourge of immediate gratification are often the things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/we-re-making-our-decisions-or-so-we-think-yet-in-truth-ignorance/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) ## More by Francis Atterbury > [The practice of all ages and all countries (whether Christian or heathen, polite or barbarous) hath been ... to do honour to those who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-atterbury/the-practice-of-all-ages-and-all-countries-whether-christian-or/) [Francis Atterbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-atterbury/) > [It’s attention to detail that makes the difference between average and stunning,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-atterbury/it-s-attention-to-detail-that-makes-the-difference-between-average/) [Francis Atterbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-atterbury/) > [Those good men who take such pleasure in relieving the miserable for Christ's sake, would not have been less forward to minister onto Christ…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-atterbury/those-good-men-who-take-such-pleasure-in-relieving-the-miserable-for/) [Francis Atterbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-atterbury/) > [It is impossible to have a lively hope in another life, and yet be deeply immersed in the enjoyments of this.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-atterbury/it-is-impossible-to-have-a-lively-hope-in-another-life-and-yet-be/) [Francis Atterbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-atterbury/) > [The things of another world being distant, operate but faintly upon us: to remedy this inconvenience, we must frequently revolve their certainty and importance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-atterbury/the-things-of-another-world-being-distant-operate-but-faintly-upon-us/) [Francis Atterbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-atterbury/) > [From mere success nothing can be concluded in favor of any nation upon whom it is bestowed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-atterbury/from-mere-success-nothing-can-be-concluded-in-favor-of-any-nation/) [Francis Atterbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-atterbury/) > [A sturdy, hardened sinner shall advance to the utmost pitch of impiety, with less reluctance than he took the first step while his conscience…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-atterbury/a-sturdy-hardened-sinner-shall-advance-to-the-utmost-pitch-of-impiety/) [Francis Atterbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-atterbury/) > [A very prosperous people, flushed with great victories and successes, are seldom so pious, so humble, so just, or so provident as to perpetuate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-atterbury/a-very-prosperous-people-flushed-with-great-victories-and-successes/) [Francis Atterbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-atterbury/) > [A good character when established should not be rested in as an end, but only employed as a means of doing still further good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-atterbury/a-good-character-when-established-should-not-be-rested-in-as-an-end/) [Francis Atterbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-atterbury/) > [The smallest act of charity shall stand us in great stead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-atterbury/the-smallest-act-of-charity-shall-stand-us-in-great-stead/) [Francis Atterbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-atterbury/) > [Few consider how much we are indebted to government, because few can represent how wretched mankind would be without it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-atterbury/few-consider-how-much-we-are-indebted-to-government-because-few-can/) [Francis Atterbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-atterbury/) > [Should we grieve over a little misplaced charity, when an all knowing, all wise Being showers down every day his benefits on the unthankful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-atterbury/should-we-grieve-over-a-little-misplaced-charity-when-an-all-knowing/) [Francis Atterbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-atterbury/) > [Though fanaticism drinks at many founts, its predisposing cause is mostly the subject of an invisible futurity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-atterbury/though-fanaticism-drinks-at-many-founts-its-predisposing-cause-is/) [Francis Atterbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-atterbury/) > [He who performs his duty in a station of great power must needs incur the utter enmity of many, and the high displeasure of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-atterbury/he-who-performs-his-duty-in-a-station-of-great-power-must-needs-incur/) [Francis Atterbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-atterbury/) > [Affliction is a school of virtue; it corrects levity, and interrupts the confidence of sinning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-atterbury/affliction-is-a-school-of-virtue-it-corrects-levity-and-interrupts/) [Francis Atterbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-atterbury/) [Explore all 31 Francis Atterbury quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-atterbury/) ## More Forbidden quotes > [It doesnt seem to me strange that children should like the macabre, the sensational, and the forbidden.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-hecht/it-doesnt-seem-to-me-strange-that-children-should-like-the-macabre/) [Anthony Hecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-hecht/) > [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The Church is the house of God. 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