--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Those good men who take such pleasure in…" description: "\"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 Himself.\" ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/957/francis-atterbury-20391_alms_those-good-men-who-take-such-pleasure-in_64447.jpg" --- # Those good men who take such pleasure in relieving the… ![“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 Himself.” quote by Francis Atterbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/957/francis-atterbury-20391_alms_those-good-men-who-take-such-pleasure-in_64447.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/957/francis-atterbury-20391_alms_those-good-men-who-take-such-pleasure-in_64447.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/957/francis-atterbury-20391_alms_those-good-men-who-take-such-pleasure-in_64447.jpg) > “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 Himself.” [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. The quote warns that those who eagerly alleviate others' suffering for religious reasons may be reluctant to confront or challenge the core teachings or figure they claim to serve. **In simple terms:** Critique of superficial piety Key Takeaway Beware of empty charity Themes hypocrisy religion moral responsibility faith social critique Mood critical reflective skeptical Type aphorism cautionary statement When to use this quote - charitable work - religious outreach - social activism - missionary work Key Concepts virtue signaling ethical consistency spiritual authenticity Practical Applications - ethical training - theological education Questions to Reflect On - What does genuine compassion look like? - How can we align actions with core beliefs? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alms/) [Christ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christ/) [Good man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-man/) [Good men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-men/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Miserable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/miserable/) [Pleasure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pleasure/) ## Related quotes > [If the average church should suddenly take seriously the notion that every lay member man or woman is really a minister of Christ, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-elton-trueblood/if-the-average-church-should-suddenly-take-seriously-the-notion-that/) [D. Elton Trueblood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-elton-trueblood/) > [An over-readiness to criticise or to depreciate a minister of Christ is proof of a lack of devotion to Christ.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-clay-trumbull/an-over-readiness-to-criticise-or-to-depreciate-a-minister-of-christ/) [Henry Clay Trumbull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-clay-trumbull/) > [“ 'Legs are for men's pleasure, breasts are for babies'.' " - Lib McGovern”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-frank/legs-are-for-men-s-pleasure-breasts-are-for-babies-lib-mcgovern/) [Pat Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-frank/) > [“What a strange thing that which men call pleasure seems to be, and how astonishing the relation it has with what is thought to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/what-a-strange-thing-that-which-men-call-pleasure-seems-to-be-and-how/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [In war, hunting, and love, men for one pleasure a thousand griefes prove.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/in-war-hunting-and-love-men-for-one-pleasure-a-thousand-griefes-prove/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [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/) > [There is a variety in tempers of good men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-atterbury/there-is-a-variety-in-tempers-of-good-men/) [Francis Atterbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-atterbury/) > [“Pesa itolewe kwa masharti au bila masharti chukua, kwani huyo aliyeitoa si yake. Benki, kwa mfano, ikitaka kukupa mkopo itakuwa na masharti yake; chukua,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enock-maregesi/pesa-itolewe-kwa-masharti-au-bila-masharti-chukua-kwani-huyo/) [Enock Maregesi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enock-maregesi/) > [I know that a man who shows me his wealth is like the beggar who shows me his poverty; they are both looking for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-hecht/i-know-that-a-man-who-shows-me-his-wealth-is-like-the-beggar-who/) [Ben Hecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-hecht/) > [The setting sun is reflected from the windows of the alms-house as brightly as from the rich man's abode.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/the-setting-sun-is-reflected-from-the-windows-of-the-alms-house-as/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [All religions have honored the beggar. For he proves that in a matter at the same time as prosaic and holy, banal and regenerative…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-benjamin/all-religions-have-honored-the-beggar-for-he-proves-that-in-a-matter/) [Walter Benjamin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-benjamin/) > [Alms (is) for the purity of your soul, and flourishment and expansion of your sustenence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fatima-bint-muhammad/alms-is-for-the-purity-of-your-soul-and-flourishment-and-expansion-of/) [Fatima bint Muhammad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fatima-bint-muhammad/) > [Work is love made visible. And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/work-is-love-made-visible-and-if-you-cannot-work-with-love-but-only/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [In giving alms, let us rather look at the needs of the poor than his claim to your charity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-antoine-petit-senn/in-giving-alms-let-us-rather-look-at-the-needs-of-the-poor-than-his/) [Jean Antoine Petit-Senn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-antoine-petit-senn/) > [If you are to go to Christ, do not put on your good doings and feelings, or you will get nothing. Go in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/if-you-are-to-go-to-christ-do-not-put-on-your-good-doings-and/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) ## 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/) > [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/) > [Nothing can be reckoned good or bad to us in this life, any further than it indisposes us for the enjoyment of another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-atterbury/nothing-can-be-reckoned-good-or-bad-to-us-in-this-life-any-further/) [Francis Atterbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-atterbury/) [Explore all 31 Francis Atterbury quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-atterbury/) ## More Alms quotes > [If you are to go to Christ, do not put on your good doings and feelings, or you will get nothing. Go in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/if-you-are-to-go-to-christ-do-not-put-on-your-good-doings-and/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [In giving alms, let us rather look at the needs of the poor than his claim to your charity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-antoine-petit-senn/in-giving-alms-let-us-rather-look-at-the-needs-of-the-poor-than-his/) [Jean Antoine Petit-Senn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-antoine-petit-senn/) > [Work is love made visible. And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/work-is-love-made-visible-and-if-you-cannot-work-with-love-but-only/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Alms (is) for the purity of your soul, and flourishment and expansion of your sustenence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fatima-bint-muhammad/alms-is-for-the-purity-of-your-soul-and-flourishment-and-expansion-of/) [Fatima bint Muhammad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fatima-bint-muhammad/) > [All religions have honored the beggar. For he proves that in a matter at the same time as prosaic and holy, banal and regenerative…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-benjamin/all-religions-have-honored-the-beggar-for-he-proves-that-in-a-matter/) [Walter Benjamin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-benjamin/) > [The setting sun is reflected from the windows of the alms-house as brightly as from the rich man's abode.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/the-setting-sun-is-reflected-from-the-windows-of-the-alms-house-as/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [I know that a man who shows me his wealth is like the beggar who shows me his poverty; they are both looking for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-hecht/i-know-that-a-man-who-shows-me-his-wealth-is-like-the-beggar-who/) [Ben Hecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-hecht/) > [“Pesa itolewe kwa masharti au bila masharti chukua, kwani huyo aliyeitoa si yake. Benki, kwa mfano, ikitaka kukupa mkopo itakuwa na masharti yake; chukua,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enock-maregesi/pesa-itolewe-kwa-masharti-au-bila-masharti-chukua-kwani-huyo/) [Enock Maregesi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enock-maregesi/) > [The best remedy for dryness of spirit, is to picture ourselves as beggars in the presence of God and the Saints, and like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-neri/the-best-remedy-for-dryness-of-spirit-is-to-picture-ourselves-as/) [Philip Neri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-neri/) > [Walking does good to the fat and giving alms does good to the sinners; these both make one feel lighter!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/walking-does-good-to-the-fat-and-giving-alms-does-good-to-the-sinners/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [Give a drink of water as alms to the birds which go forth at morning, and deem that they have a better right than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-ma-arri/give-a-drink-of-water-as-alms-to-the-birds-which-go-forth-at-morning/) [Al-Maʿarri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-ma-arri/) > [Where there is plenty, charity is a duty, not a courtesy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-feltham/where-there-is-plenty-charity-is-a-duty-not-a-courtesy/) [Owen Feltham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-feltham/) > [Are we not to pity and supply the poor, though they have no relation to us? No relation? That cannot be. The Gospel styles…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sprat/are-we-not-to-pity-and-supply-the-poor-though-they-have-no-relation/) [Thomas Sprat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sprat/) > [But what if I should discover that the least amongst them all, the poorest of all beggars, the most impudent of all offenders, yea…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/but-what-if-i-should-discover-that-the-least-amongst-them-all-the/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) > [Yet, when we must put aside our wrath, quench our envy, soften our anger, offer our prayers, and show a disposition which is reasonable,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-john-chrysostom/yet-when-we-must-put-aside-our-wrath-quench-our-envy-soften-our-anger/) [Saint John Chrysostom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-john-chrysostom/) [Browse all 124 Alms quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alms/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "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 Himself.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Francis Atterbury" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-atterbury/those-good-men-who-take-such-pleasure-in-relieving-the-miserable-for/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Alms" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-atterbury/those-good-men-who-take-such-pleasure-in-relieving-the-miserable-for/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/957/francis-atterbury-20391_alms_those-good-men-who-take-such-pleasure-in_64447.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/957/francis-atterbury-20391_alms_those-good-men-who-take-such-pleasure-in_64447.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/957/francis-atterbury-20391_alms_those-good-men-who-take-such-pleasure-in_64447.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Those good men who take such pleasure in relieving the miserable for Christ's sake, would not have been less…” — Francis Atterbury", "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": "Francis Atterbury", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-atterbury/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Those good men who take such...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-atterbury/those-good-men-who-take-such-pleasure-in-relieving-the-miserable-for/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-atterbury/those-good-men-who-take-such-pleasure-in-relieving-the-miserable-for/#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 } } ] } ```