--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We can often do more for other men by…" description: "\"We can often do more for other men by trying to correct our own faults than by trying to correct theirs.\" — Francois Fenelon" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff6/francois-fenelon-2077_conflict_we-can-often-do-more-for-other-men-by-tr_1337663.png" --- # We can often do more for other men by trying to correct… ![“We can often do more for other men by trying to correct our own faults than by trying to correct theirs.” quote by Francois Fenelon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff6/francois-fenelon-2077_conflict_we-can-often-do-more-for-other-men-by-tr_1337663.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff6/francois-fenelon-2077_conflict_we-can-often-do-more-for-other-men-by-tr_1337663.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff6/francois-fenelon-2077_conflict_we-can-often-do-more-for-other-men-by-tr_1337663.png) > “We can often do more for other men by trying to correct our own faults than by trying to correct theirs.” [Francois Fenelon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-fenelon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Improving oneself is more effective for helping others than attempting to fix their flaws. **In simple terms:** Self‑improvement benefits others more than judging them. Key Takeaway Focus on personal growth to aid others. Themes self‑improvement empathy leadership Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - teamwork - mentoring - community service - conflict resolution Key Concepts philosophy ethics Questions to Reflect On - How can you model good behavior? - What limits exist when influencing others? A Different Perspective Changing others can be resisted or ineffective. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Conflict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conflict/) [Criticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criticism/) [Flattery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flattery/) [Gymnastics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gymnastics/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Praise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praise/) ## Related quotes > [“We can often do more for other men by trying to correct our own faults than by trying to correct theirs ~ Francois Fenelon”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-fenelon/we-can-often-do-more-for-other-men-by-trying-to-correct-our-own-2/) [Francois Fenelon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-fenelon/) > [Your kids require you most of all to love them for who they are, not to spend your whole time trying to correct them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-ayers/your-kids-require-you-most-of-all-to-love-them-for-who-they-are-not/) [Bill Ayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-ayers/) > [We are trying to correct our life... trying to fit everything right, not to be wrong again. But always remember that being wrong sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eihna/we-are-trying-to-correct-our-life-trying-to-fit-everything-right-not/) [Eihna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eihna/) > [Making all the same mistakes and I'm just trying to correct it and I fall.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drake/making-all-the-same-mistakes-and-i-m-just-trying-to-correct-it-and-i/) [Drake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drake/) > [“There’s a medical term for it, actually. It’s called Hugh Grantism. You spend so long faffing around trying to do the correct thing that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trevor-baxendale/there-s-a-medical-term-for-it-actually-it-s-called-hugh-grantism-you/) [Trevor Baxendale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trevor-baxendale/) > [The hardest thing is trying not to correct everything on the Internet. It'd be night and day - wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong. So you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-clooney/the-hardest-thing-is-trying-not-to-correct-everything-on-the-internet/) [George Clooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-clooney/) > [Nothing is more difficult than trying to correct history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/myles-munroe/nothing-is-more-difficult-than-trying-to-correct-history/) [Myles Munroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/myles-munroe/) > [Obviously, in the buildup to some fights, there's animosity and testosterone and banter. But at the end of the day, we all understand that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-eubank-jr/obviously-in-the-buildup-to-some-fights-there-s-animosity-and/) [Chris Eubank Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-eubank-jr/) > [“Just us fancy wise-men trying to take on the world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sapphire-belucci/just-us-fancy-wise-men-trying-to-take-on-the-world/) [Sapphire Belucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sapphire-belucci/) > [Men are always trying to make the world better or worse while most women are content just to live in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-w-koch/men-are-always-trying-to-make-the-world-better-or-worse-while-most/) Howard W. Koch > [I guess it turns out choosing your life partner from a group of men trying to get their break in show business by sitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willie-geist/i-guess-it-turns-out-choosing-your-life-partner-from-a-group-of-men/) [Willie Geist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willie-geist/) > [It's a major part of world history that men are trying to kill each other. It's just one slaughter after the other. We talk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-ward/it-s-a-major-part-of-world-history-that-men-are-trying-to-kill-each/) [Fred Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-ward/) > [I'm encouraged by what I see of men trying to be there for their children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-gardner/i-m-encouraged-by-what-i-see-of-men-trying-to-be-there-for-their/) [Chris Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-gardner/) > [Men, all men, were always trying to get hold of me, you know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-keeler/men-all-men-were-always-trying-to-get-hold-of-me-you-know/) [Christine Keeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-keeler/) > [It appears to me that men are trying to speak for God instead of letting God speak for himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-m-burton/it-appears-to-me-that-men-are-trying-to-speak-for-god-instead-of/) [Theodore M. Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-m-burton/) ## More by Francois Fenelon > [There is no real elevation of mind in a contempt of little things; it is, on the contrary, from too narrow views that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-fenelon/there-is-no-real-elevation-of-mind-in-a-contempt-of-little-things-it/) [Francois Fenelon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-fenelon/) > [“If the riches of the Indies, or the crowns of all the kingdom of Europe, were laid at my feet in exchange for my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-fenelon/if-the-riches-of-the-indies-or-the-crowns-of-all-the-kingdom-of/) [Francois Fenelon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-fenelon/) > [That love of self, which the world advocates, is a thousand times more dangerous than any poison.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-fenelon/that-love-of-self-which-the-world-advocates-is-a-thousand-times-more/) [Francois Fenelon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-fenelon/) > [There were some who said that a man at the point of death was more free than all others, because death breaks every bond,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-fenelon/there-were-some-who-said-that-a-man-at-the-point-of-death-was-more/) [Francois Fenelon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-fenelon/) > [Pity enlarges the heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-fenelon/pity-enlarges-the-heart/) [Francois Fenelon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-fenelon/) > [A general rule for the good use of time is to accustom oneself to live in a continual dependence on the Spirit of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-fenelon/a-general-rule-for-the-good-use-of-time-is-to-accustom-oneself-to/) [Francois Fenelon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-fenelon/) > [Nothing is more despicable than a professional talker who uses his words as a quack uses his remedies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-fenelon/nothing-is-more-despicable-than-a-professional-talker-who-uses-his/) [Francois Fenelon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-fenelon/) > [Prayer is so necessary, and the source of so many blessings, that he who has discovered the treasure cannot be prevented from having recourse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-fenelon/prayer-is-so-necessary-and-the-source-of-so-many-blessings-that-he/) [Francois Fenelon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-fenelon/) > [There is no true and constant gentleness without humility. While we are so fond of ourselves, we are easily offended with others. Let us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-fenelon/there-is-no-true-and-constant-gentleness-without-humility-while-we/) [Francois Fenelon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-fenelon/) > [Let me follow in Thy footsteps, O Jesus ! I would imitate Thee, but cannot without the aid of Thy grace! O humble and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-fenelon/let-me-follow-in-thy-footsteps-o-jesus-i-would-imitate-thee-but/) [Francois Fenelon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-fenelon/) > [O Lord, I do most cheerfully commit all unto Thee.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-fenelon/o-lord-i-do-most-cheerfully-commit-all-unto-thee/) [Francois Fenelon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-fenelon/) > [Our piety must be weak and imperfect if it do not conquer our fear of death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-fenelon/our-piety-must-be-weak-and-imperfect-if-it-do-not-conquer-our-fear-of/) [Francois Fenelon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-fenelon/) > [Nothing is so costly as the pursuit of a cure for imaginary ills.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-fenelon/nothing-is-so-costly-as-the-pursuit-of-a-cure-for-imaginary-ills/) [Francois Fenelon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-fenelon/) > [I love my country better than my family; but I love humanity better than my country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-fenelon/i-love-my-country-better-than-my-family-but-i-love-humanity-better/) [Francois Fenelon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-fenelon/) > [Crosses are of no use to us but inasmuch as we yield ourselves up to them and forget ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-fenelon/crosses-are-of-no-use-to-us-but-inasmuch-as-we-yield-ourselves-up-to/) [Francois Fenelon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-fenelon/) [Explore all 187 Francois Fenelon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-fenelon/) ## More Conflict quotes > [The history of mankind interests us only as it exhibits a steady gain of truth and right, in the incessant conflict which it records…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-history-of-mankind-interests-us-only-as-it-exhibits-a-steady-gain/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The U.S.-Mexican border es un herida abierta where the Third World grates against the first and bleeds. And before a scab forms it hemorrhages…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-e-anzald-a/the-u-s-mexican-border-es-un-herida-abierta-where-the-third-world/) [Gloria E. Anzaldúa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-e-anzald-a/) > [There is a conflict in the Middle East between two entities, and they're both right, each in their own way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reuven-rivlin/there-is-a-conflict-in-the-middle-east-between-two-entities-and-they/) [Reuven Rivlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reuven-rivlin/) > [Conflict isn't negative, it just is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-crum/conflict-isn-t-negative-it-just-is/) [Thomas Crum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-crum/) > [I have lived in countries that were coming out of conflict: Ireland, South Africa, the Czech republic. People there are overflowing with energy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-eno/i-have-lived-in-countries-that-were-coming-out-of-conflict-ireland/) [Brian Eno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-eno/) > [Africa, being the major target of colonial plunder, therefore becomes a major source of conflict.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-horne/africa-being-the-major-target-of-colonial-plunder-therefore-becomes-a/) [Gerald Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-horne/) > [All drama is conflict. Without conflict, there is no action. Without action, there is no character. Without character, there is no story. And without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/syd-field/all-drama-is-conflict-without-conflict-there-is-no-action-without/) [Syd Field](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/syd-field/) > [The irrepressible conflict propounded by abolitionism has produced now its legitimate fruits - disunion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-irrepressible-conflict-propounded-by-abolitionism-has-produced/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“These are all good things, I said. But no one knows where your country is or who you are. You don't have a familiar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-shteyngart/these-are-all-good-things-i-said-but-no-one-knows-where-your-country/) [Gary Shteyngart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-shteyngart/) > [I understand the formula that producers hire directors and directors are hired to direct and actors are hired to act. I don't have any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-trejo/i-understand-the-formula-that-producers-hire-directors-and-directors/) [Danny Trejo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-trejo/) > [“While there is battle and hatred men have eyes for nothing save the fact that the enemy is the cause of all the troubles;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-butterfield/while-there-is-battle-and-hatred-men-have-eyes-for-nothing-save-the/) [Herbert Butterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-butterfield/) > [UN peacekeeping operations are now increasingly complex and multi-dimensional, going beyond monitoring a ceasefire to actually bringing failed States back to life, often after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kofi-annan/un-peacekeeping-operations-are-now-increasingly-complex-and-multi/) [Kofi Annan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kofi-annan/) > [All men have an instinct for conflict: at least, all healthy men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilaire-belloc/all-men-have-an-instinct-for-conflict-at-least-all-healthy-men/) [Hilaire Belloc](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilaire-belloc/) > [I didnt like the Survivor shows because of the mean-spirited aspect, and women certainly were part of whatever conflict they would create.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-lawrence/i-didnt-like-the-survivor-shows-because-of-the-mean-spirited-aspect/) [Sharon Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-lawrence/) > [“How we traverse the space between us when conflict arises has a profound effect on the health and longevity of our relationships.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/how-we-traverse-the-space-between-us-when-conflict-arises-has-a/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) [Browse all 3,969 Conflict quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conflict/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We can often do more for other men by trying to correct our own faults than by trying to correct theirs.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Francois Fenelon" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-fenelon/we-can-often-do-more-for-other-men-by-trying-to-correct-our-own/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Conflict" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-fenelon/we-can-often-do-more-for-other-men-by-trying-to-correct-our-own/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff6/francois-fenelon-2077_conflict_we-can-often-do-more-for-other-men-by-tr_1337663.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff6/francois-fenelon-2077_conflict_we-can-often-do-more-for-other-men-by-tr_1337663.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff6/francois-fenelon-2077_conflict_we-can-often-do-more-for-other-men-by-tr_1337663.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We can often do more for other men by trying to correct our own faults than by trying to correct theirs.” — Francois Fenelon", "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": "Francois Fenelon", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-fenelon/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We can often do more for...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-fenelon/we-can-often-do-more-for-other-men-by-trying-to-correct-our-own/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-fenelon/we-can-often-do-more-for-other-men-by-trying-to-correct-our-own/#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 } } ] } ```