--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Of all knaves the religious knave is the…" description: "\"Of all knaves the religious knave is the worst.\" — Franklin Pierce" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/455/franklin-pierce-24059_knaves_of-all-knaves-the-religious-knave-is-the_2149834.jpg" --- # Of all knaves the religious knave is the worst. ![“Of all knaves the religious knave is the worst.” quote by Franklin Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/455/franklin-pierce-24059_knaves_of-all-knaves-the-religious-knave-is-the_2149834.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/455/franklin-pierce-24059_knaves_of-all-knaves-the-religious-knave-is-the_2149834.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/455/franklin-pierce-24059_knaves_of-all-knaves-the-religious-knave-is-the_2149834.jpg) > “Of all knaves the religious knave is the worst.” [Franklin Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-pierce/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Religious hypocrisy is the most damaging form of deceit. **In simple terms:** Religious hypocrisy is especially harmful. Key Takeaway Beware and challenge hypocritical behavior. Themes ethics religion hypocrisy Mood critical serious Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - public discourse - community leadership - personal relationships Key Concepts politics morality integrity Questions to Reflect On - How does religious hypocrisy affect society? - Can you identify hypocrisy in your environment? A Different Perspective Some may argue other vices are equally harmful. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Knave Worst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knave-worst-4514694/) [Knaves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knaves/) [Knaves Religious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knaves-religious-4514695/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Religious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious/) [Religious Knave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious-knave-4514696/) [Worst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worst/) ## Related quotes > [I realized early on that the academy and the literary world alike - and I don't think there really is a distinction between the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-bloom/i-realized-early-on-that-the-academy-and-the-literary-world-alike-and/) [Harold Bloom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-bloom/) > [The Queen of Hearts, she made some tarts, all on a hot summer's day. The Knave of Hearts, he stole those tarts. The mad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jun-mochizuki/the-queen-of-hearts-she-made-some-tarts-all-on-a-hot-summer-s-day-the/) [Jun Mochizuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jun-mochizuki/) > [So long as women are slaves, men will be knaves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-cady-stanton/so-long-as-women-are-slaves-men-will-be-knaves/) [Elizabeth Cady Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-cady-stanton/) > [There is not on earth so base a knave as the man who wins the love of a woman when he knows that he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/there-is-not-on-earth-so-base-a-knave-as-the-man-who-wins-the-love-of/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [It should seem that indolence itself would incline a person to be honest, as it requires infinitely greater pains and contrivance to be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shenstone/it-should-seem-that-indolence-itself-would-incline-a-person-to-be/) [William Shenstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shenstone/) > [Credulity is always a ridiculous, often a dangerous failing: it has made of many a clever man, a fool; and of many a good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-wright/credulity-is-always-a-ridiculous-often-a-dangerous-failing-it-has/) [Frances Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-wright/) > [The best way to deceive a knave is to tell him the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivan-panin/the-best-way-to-deceive-a-knave-is-to-tell-him-the-truth/) [Ivan Panin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivan-panin/) > [“Aunt Ruth looked at the unlucky pair. "What are you doing here?" she asked Perry. Stovepipe Town made a mistake. "Oh, looking for a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-m-montgomery/aunt-ruth-looked-at-the-unlucky-pair-what-are-you-doing-here-she/) [L.M. Montgomery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-m-montgomery/) > [Negro equality, Fudge!! How long in the Government of a God great enough to make and maintain this Universe, shall there continue to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/negro-equality-fudge-how-long-in-the-government-of-a-god-great-enough/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [There are more fools than knaves in the world, else the knaves would not have enough to live upon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-butler/there-are-more-fools-than-knaves-in-the-world-else-the-knaves-would/) [Samuel Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-butler/) > [My curse on plays That have to be set up in fifty ways, On the day's war with every knave and dolt, Theater business,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-butler-yeats/my-curse-on-plays-that-have-to-be-set-up-in-fifty-ways-on-the-day-s/) [William Butler Yeats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-butler-yeats/) > [Although knaves win in every political struggle, although society seems to be delivered over from the hands of one set of criminals into the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/although-knaves-win-in-every-political-struggle-although-society/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [How strange it is, that a fool or knave, with riches, should be treated with more respect by the world, than a good man,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-radcliffe/how-strange-it-is-that-a-fool-or-knave-with-riches-should-be-treated/) [Ann Radcliffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-radcliffe/) > [Knaves will come and knaves will go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-cook/knaves-will-come-and-knaves-will-go/) [James Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-cook/) > [This is the excellent foppery of the world, that, when we are sick in fortune,--often the surfeit of our own behavior,--we make guilty of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/this-is-the-excellent-foppery-of-the-world-that-when-we-are-sick-in/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) ## More by Franklin Pierce > [“ouch, an egg!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-pierce/ouch-an-egg/) [Franklin Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-pierce/) > [I speak of the war as fruitless; for it is clear that, prosecuted upon the basis of the proclamations of September 22d and September…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-pierce/i-speak-of-the-war-as-fruitless-for-it-is-clear-that-prosecuted-upon/) [Franklin Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-pierce/) > [Frequently the more trifling the subject, the more animated and protracted the discussion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-pierce/frequently-the-more-trifling-the-subject-the-more-animated-and/) [Franklin Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-pierce/) > [I cannot find any authority in the Constitution for public charity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-pierce/i-cannot-find-any-authority-in-the-constitution-for-public-charity/) [Franklin Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-pierce/) > [A Republic without parties is a complete anomaly. The histories of all popular governments show absurd is the idea of their attempting to exist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-pierce/a-republic-without-parties-is-a-complete-anomaly-the-histories-of-all/) [Franklin Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-pierce/) > [The founders of the Republic dealt with things as they were presented to them, in a spirit of self sacrificing Patriotism and as time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-pierce/the-founders-of-the-republic-dealt-with-things-as-they-were-presented/) [Franklin Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-pierce/) > [If your past is limited, your future is boundless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-pierce/if-your-past-is-limited-your-future-is-boundless/) [Franklin Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-pierce/) > [READILY and, I trust, feelingly acknowledge the duty incumbent on us all . . . to provide for those who, in the mysterious order…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-pierce/readily-and-i-trust-feelingly-acknowledge-the-duty-incumbent-on-us/) [Franklin Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-pierce/) > [You have summoned me in my weakness. You must sustain me in your strength.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-pierce/you-have-summoned-me-in-my-weakness-you-must-sustain-me-in-your/) [Franklin Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-pierce/) > [While men inhabiting different parts of this vast continent cannot be expected to hold the same opinions, they can untie in a common objective…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-pierce/while-men-inhabiting-different-parts-of-this-vast-continent-cannot-be/) [Franklin Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-pierce/) > [I never justify, sustain, or in any way or to any extent uphold this cruel, heartless, aimless unnecessary war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-pierce/i-never-justify-sustain-or-in-any-way-or-to-any-extent-uphold-this/) [Franklin Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-pierce/) > [It must be felt that there is no national security but in the nation's humble, acknowledged dependence upon God and His overruling providence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-pierce/it-must-be-felt-that-there-is-no-national-security-but-in-the-nation/) [Franklin Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-pierce/) > [I find the remark, "Tis distance lends enchantment to the view" is no less true of the political than of the natural world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-pierce/i-find-the-remark-tis-distance-lends-enchantment-to-the-view-is-no/) [Franklin Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-pierce/) > [With the Union my best and dearest earthly hopes are entwined.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-pierce/with-the-union-my-best-and-dearest-earthly-hopes-are-entwined/) [Franklin Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-pierce/) > [There's nothing left . . . but to get drunk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-pierce/there-s-nothing-left-but-to-get-drunk/) [Franklin Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-pierce/) [Explore all 25 Franklin Pierce quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-pierce/) ## More Knaves quotes > [I realized early on that the academy and the literary world alike - and I don't think there really is a distinction between the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-bloom/i-realized-early-on-that-the-academy-and-the-literary-world-alike-and/) [Harold Bloom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-bloom/) > [Knaves will come and knaves will go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-cook/knaves-will-come-and-knaves-will-go/) [James Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-cook/) > [How strange it is, that a fool or knave, with riches, should be treated with more respect by the world, than a good man,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-radcliffe/how-strange-it-is-that-a-fool-or-knave-with-riches-should-be-treated/) [Ann Radcliffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-radcliffe/) > [Although knaves win in every political struggle, although society seems to be delivered over from the hands of one set of criminals into the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/although-knaves-win-in-every-political-struggle-although-society/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [My curse on plays That have to be set up in fifty ways, On the day's war with every knave and dolt, Theater business,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-butler-yeats/my-curse-on-plays-that-have-to-be-set-up-in-fifty-ways-on-the-day-s/) [William Butler Yeats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-butler-yeats/) > [There are more fools than knaves in the world, else the knaves would not have enough to live upon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-butler/there-are-more-fools-than-knaves-in-the-world-else-the-knaves-would/) [Samuel Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-butler/) > [Negro equality, Fudge!! How long in the Government of a God great enough to make and maintain this Universe, shall there continue to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/negro-equality-fudge-how-long-in-the-government-of-a-god-great-enough/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [“Aunt Ruth looked at the unlucky pair. "What are you doing here?" she asked Perry. Stovepipe Town made a mistake. "Oh, looking for a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-m-montgomery/aunt-ruth-looked-at-the-unlucky-pair-what-are-you-doing-here-she/) [L.M. Montgomery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-m-montgomery/) > [The best way to deceive a knave is to tell him the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivan-panin/the-best-way-to-deceive-a-knave-is-to-tell-him-the-truth/) [Ivan Panin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivan-panin/) > [Credulity is always a ridiculous, often a dangerous failing: it has made of many a clever man, a fool; and of many a good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-wright/credulity-is-always-a-ridiculous-often-a-dangerous-failing-it-has/) [Frances Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-wright/) > [It should seem that indolence itself would incline a person to be honest, as it requires infinitely greater pains and contrivance to be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shenstone/it-should-seem-that-indolence-itself-would-incline-a-person-to-be/) [William Shenstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shenstone/) > [There is not on earth so base a knave as the man who wins the love of a woman when he knows that he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/there-is-not-on-earth-so-base-a-knave-as-the-man-who-wins-the-love-of/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [So long as women are slaves, men will be knaves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-cady-stanton/so-long-as-women-are-slaves-men-will-be-knaves/) [Elizabeth Cady Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-cady-stanton/) > [The Queen of Hearts, she made some tarts, all on a hot summer's day. The Knave of Hearts, he stole those tarts. The mad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jun-mochizuki/the-queen-of-hearts-she-made-some-tarts-all-on-a-hot-summer-s-day-the/) [Jun Mochizuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jun-mochizuki/) > [This is the excellent foppery of the world, that, when we are sick in fortune,--often the surfeit of our own behavior,--we make guilty of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/this-is-the-excellent-foppery-of-the-world-that-when-we-are-sick-in/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) [Browse all 128 Knaves quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knaves/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Of all knaves the religious knave is the worst.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Franklin Pierce" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-pierce/of-all-knaves-the-religious-knave-is-the-worst/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Knaves" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-pierce/of-all-knaves-the-religious-knave-is-the-worst/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/455/franklin-pierce-24059_knaves_of-all-knaves-the-religious-knave-is-the_2149834.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/455/franklin-pierce-24059_knaves_of-all-knaves-the-religious-knave-is-the_2149834.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/455/franklin-pierce-24059_knaves_of-all-knaves-the-religious-knave-is-the_2149834.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Of all knaves the religious knave is the worst.” — Franklin Pierce", "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": "Franklin Pierce", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-pierce/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Of all knaves the religious knave...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-pierce/of-all-knaves-the-religious-knave-is-the-worst/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-pierce/of-all-knaves-the-religious-knave-is-the-worst/#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 } } ] } ```