---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If any speak ill of thee, fly home to thy…"
description: "\"If any speak ill of thee, fly home to thy own conscience and examine thy heart. If thou art guilty, it is a just correction; if not guilty, it is a fai..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32a/george-herbert-107_art_if-any-speak-ill-of-thee-fly-home-to-thy_1698448.jpg"
---

#  If any speak ill of thee, fly home to thy own conscience…

![“If any speak ill of thee, fly home to thy own conscience and examine thy heart. If thou art guilty, it is a just correction; if not guilty, it is a fair instruction.” quote by George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32a/george-herbert-107_art_if-any-speak-ill-of-thee-fly-home-to-thy_1698448.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32a/george-herbert-107_art_if-any-speak-ill-of-thee-fly-home-to-thy_1698448.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32a/george-herbert-107_art_if-any-speak-ill-of-thee-fly-home-to-thy_1698448.jpg)

> “If any speak ill of thee, fly home to thy own conscience and examine thy heart. If thou art guilty, it is a just correction; if not guilty, it is a fair instruction.”

[George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Self‑reflection is urged when others criticize; examine conscience to discern guilt or learn a lesson.

**In simple terms:** Look inward when judged.

Key Takeaway

Check conscience before reacting.

Themes

self‑awareness morality criticism

Mood

thoughtful reflective

Type

ethical philosophical

When to use this quote

- receiving criticism
- conflict resolution
- personal development
- moral decision making

Key Concepts

ethical introspection personal growth

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you distinguish guilt from unfair blame?
- What inner truths emerge from criticism?

A Different Perspective

May overlook external factors influencing criticism.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Conscience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conscience/) [Corrections](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corrections/) [Ethics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethics/) [Guilty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guilty/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Home](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/home/) [Ill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ill/) [Not guilty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/not-guilty/) [Self examination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-examination/)

## Related quotes

> [If any speak ill of thee, flee home to thy own conscience, and examine thy heart: if thou be guilty, it is a just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-quarles/if-any-speak-ill-of-thee-flee-home-to-thy-own-conscience-and-examine/)

[Francis Quarles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-quarles/)

> [Demean thyself more warily in thy study than in the street. If thy public actions have a hundred witnesses, thy private have a thousand.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-quarles/demean-thyself-more-warily-in-thy-study-than-in-the-street-if-thy/)

[Francis Quarles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-quarles/)

> [“Because I am self-aware, because I have imagination and conscience, I can examine my deepest values. I can realize that the script I’m living…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-r-covey/because-i-am-self-aware-because-i-have-imagination-and-conscience-i/)

[Stephen R. Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-r-covey/)

> [When you descant on the faults of others, consider whether you be not guilty of the same. To gain knowledge of ourselves, the best…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-you-descant-on-the-faults-of-others-consider-whether-you-be-not/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Sum up at night what thou hast done by day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/sum-up-at-night-what-thou-hast-done-by-day/)

[George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/)

> [Summe up at night what thou hast done by day; And in the morning what thou hast to do. Dresse and undresse thy soul;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/summe-up-at-night-what-thou-hast-done-by-day-and-in-the-morning-what/)

[George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/)

> [Can Christ be in thou heart and thou not know it? Can one king be dethroned and another crowned in thy soul and thou…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gurnall/can-christ-be-in-thou-heart-and-thou-not-know-it-can-one-king-be/)

[William Gurnall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gurnall/)

> [Come boldly, 'O believer, for despite the whisperings of Satan and the doubtings of thine own heart, thou art greatly beloved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/come-boldly-o-believer-for-despite-the-whisperings-of-satan-and-the/)

[Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/)

> [Thou art my glory and the exultation of y heart: thou art my hope and refuge in the day of my trouble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/thou-art-my-glory-and-the-exultation-of-y-heart-thou-art-my-hope-and/)

[Thomas a Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/)

> [Heart, fear nothing, for, heart, thou shalt find her- Next time, herself!-not the trouble behind her](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-browning/heart-fear-nothing-for-heart-thou-shalt-find-her-next-time-herself/)

[Robert Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-browning/)

> [“Who am I? I am that which thou hast searched for since thy baby eyes gazed wonderingly upon the world, whose horizon hides this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/who-am-i-i-am-that-which-thou-hast-searched-for-since-thy-baby-eyes/)

[Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/)

> [O Lord! take my heart, for I cannot give it; and when Thou hast it, O! keep it, for I cannot keep it for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-fenelon/o-lord-take-my-heart-for-i-cannot-give-it-and-when-thou-hast-it-o/)

[Francois Fenelon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-fenelon/)

> [Thou art as tyrannous, so as thou art, As those whose beauties proudly make them cruel; For well thou know'st to my dear doting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/thou-art-as-tyrannous-so-as-thou-art-as-those-whose-beauties-proudly/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [O pure of heart! Thou needest not ask of me what this strong music in the soul may be!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/o-pure-of-heart-thou-needest-not-ask-of-me-what-this-strong-music-in/)

[Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/)

> [Be still my heart; thou hast known worse than this.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/be-still-my-heart-thou-hast-known-worse-than-this/)

[Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/)

## More by George Herbert

> [Sum up at night what thou hast done by day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/sum-up-at-night-what-thou-hast-done-by-day/)

[George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/)

> [Beare with evill, and expect good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/beare-with-evill-and-expect-good/)

[George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/)

> [ In the house of a Fidler, all fiddle. \[In the house of the fiddler all fiddle.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/in-the-house-of-a-fidler-all-fiddle-in-the-house-of-the-fiddler-all/)

[George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/)

> [By all means use some time to be alone, salute thyself, see what thy soul doth wear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/by-all-means-use-some-time-to-be-alone-salute-thyself-see-what-thy/)

[George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/)

> [Every one is weary, the poore in seeking, the rich in keeping, the good in learning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/every-one-is-weary-the-poore-in-seeking-the-rich-in-keeping-the-good/)

[George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/)

> [He is a great Necromancer, for he asks counsel counsell of the Dead (i.e. books).](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/he-is-a-great-necromancer-for-he-asks-counsel-counsell-of-the-dead-i/)

[George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/)

> [If all fooles had babies, wee should want fuell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/if-all-fooles-had-babies-wee-should-want-fuell/)

[George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/)

> [Weight justly and sell dearely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/weight-justly-and-sell-dearely/)

[George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/)

> [Could have recovered greenness?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/could-have-recovered-greenness/)

[George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/)

> [In every country dogges bite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/in-every-country-dogges-bite/)

[George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/)

> [The back-doore robs the house.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/the-back-doore-robs-the-house/)

[George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/)

> [In cloths cheap handsomeness, doth bear the bell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/in-cloths-cheap-handsomeness-doth-bear-the-bell/)

[George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/)

> [Foolish tongues talke by the dozen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/foolish-tongues-talke-by-the-dozen/)

[George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/)

> [ Spectacles are deaths Harquebuze. \[Spectacles are death's arquebuse.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/spectacles-are-deaths-harquebuze-spectacles-are-death-s-arquebuse/)

[George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/)

> [None saies his Garner is full.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/none-saies-his-garner-is-full/)

[George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/)

[Explore all 1,285 George Herbert quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/)

## More Art quotes

> [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/)

[Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/)

> [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/)

[Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/)

> [“Hear the sum of the whole matter in the compass of one brief word — every art possessed by man comes from Prometheus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/hear-the-sum-of-the-whole-matter-in-the-compass-of-one-brief-word/)

[Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/)

> [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/)

[Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/)

> [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/)

[Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/)

> [That's the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/)

[Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/)

> [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/)

[Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/)

> [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/)

Taf Teh

> [The house has to serve comfort. The work of art is revolutionary; the house is conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-loos/the-house-has-to-serve-comfort-the-work-of-art-is-revolutionary-the/)

[Adolf Loos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-loos/)

> [During human progress, every science is evolved out of its corresponding art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/during-human-progress-every-science-is-evolved-out-of-its/)

[Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/)

> [In literature and art memory is a synonym for invention. It is the life-blood of imagination, which faints and dies when the veins are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-aris-willmott/in-literature-and-art-memory-is-a-synonym-for-invention-it-is-the/)

[Robert Aris Willmott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-aris-willmott/)

> [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/)

[G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/)

> [“The only thing--I tell you this straight from the heart--that disgusts me in Salzburg is that one can't have any proper social intercourse with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/the-only-thing-i-tell-you-this-straight-from-the-heart-that-disgusts/)

[Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/)

> [The sublime in art is the attempt to express the infinite without finding in the realm of phenomena any object which proves itself fitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/the-sublime-in-art-is-the-attempt-to-express-the-infinite-without/)

[Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/)

> [Art isn't done to decorate apartments, but to wage war against the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/art-isn-t-done-to-decorate-apartments-but-to-wage-war-against-the/)

[Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/)

[Browse all 48,643 Art quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "If any speak ill of thee, fly home to thy own conscience and examine thy heart. If thou art guilty, it is a just correction; if not guilty, it is a fair instruction.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "George Herbert"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/if-any-speak-ill-of-thee-fly-home-to-thy-own-conscience-and-examine/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Art"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/if-any-speak-ill-of-thee-fly-home-to-thy-own-conscience-and-examine/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32a/george-herbert-107_art_if-any-speak-ill-of-thee-fly-home-to-thy_1698448.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32a/george-herbert-107_art_if-any-speak-ill-of-thee-fly-home-to-thy_1698448.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32a/george-herbert-107_art_if-any-speak-ill-of-thee-fly-home-to-thy_1698448.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“If any speak ill of thee, fly home to thy own conscience and examine thy heart. If thou art guilty, it is a…” — George Herbert",
                "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": "George Herbert",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "If any speak ill of thee,...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/if-any-speak-ill-of-thee-fly-home-to-thy-own-conscience-and-examine/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/if-any-speak-ill-of-thee-fly-home-to-thy-own-conscience-and-examine/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
