--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is remarkable that among all the…" description: "\"It is remarkable that among all the preachers there are so few moral teachers. The prophets are employed in excusing the ways of men.\" — Henry David Th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/603/henry-david-thoreau-20_clergy_it-is-remarkable-that-among-all-the-prea_338532.jpg" --- # It is remarkable that among all the preachers there are so… ![“It is remarkable that among all the preachers there are so few moral teachers. The prophets are employed in excusing the ways of men.” quote by Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/603/henry-david-thoreau-20_clergy_it-is-remarkable-that-among-all-the-prea_338532.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/603/henry-david-thoreau-20_clergy_it-is-remarkable-that-among-all-the-prea_338532.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/603/henry-david-thoreau-20_clergy_it-is-remarkable-that-among-all-the-prea_338532.jpg) > “It is remarkable that among all the preachers there are so few moral teachers. The prophets are employed in excusing the ways of men.” [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Many religious leaders preach but few teach true morality; prophets often justify human behavior rather than challenge it. **In simple terms:** Preachers often lack moral guidance; prophets may excuse wrongdoing. Key Takeaway Seek moral teachers beyond mere preaching. Themes morality religion criticism prophecy Mood critical thought‑provoking Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - community discussions - ethical education - media analysis - personal reflection Key Concepts ethical philosophy social critique leadership Questions to Reflect On - What distinguishes a moral teacher from a preacher? - How can we hold prophets accountable? A Different Perspective Some may argue that all preachers aim to guide morally. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Clergy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clergy/) [Employed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/employed/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Moral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral/) [Preacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preacher/) [Preachers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preachers/) [Preachers Moral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preachers-moral-1157922/) [Prophet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prophet/) [Prophets Employed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prophets-employed-3151569/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Remarkable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remarkable/) [Remarkable Preachers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remarkable-preachers-3151570/) [Teacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teacher/) [Teachers Prophets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teachers-prophets-3151568/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) ## Related quotes > [Now a lot of us are preachers, and all of us have our moral convictions and concerns, and so often have problems with power.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/now-a-lot-of-us-are-preachers-and-all-of-us-have-our-moral/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [A man wastes his time going to hear some of our eloquent modern preachers; they may change his opinions, but never his conduct.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/a-man-wastes-his-time-going-to-hear-some-of-our-eloquent-modern/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [Preachers dread the advance of science as witches do the approach of daylight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/preachers-dread-the-advance-of-science-as-witches-do-the-approach-of/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [When you travel to the Celestial City, carry no letter of introduction. When you knock, ask to see God,--none of the servants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/when-you-travel-to-the-celestial-city-carry-no-letter-of-introduction/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [In respect to religion and the healing art, all nations are still in a state of barbarism. In the most civilized countries the priest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/in-respect-to-religion-and-the-healing-art-all-nations-are-still-in-a/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Let no one think that I do not love the old ministers. They were, probably, the best men in their generation, and they deserve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/let-no-one-think-that-i-do-not-love-the-old-ministers-they-were/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [The sort of morality which the priests inculcate is a very subtle policy, far finer than the politicians', and the world is very successfully…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/the-sort-of-morality-which-the-priests-inculcate-is-a-very-subtle/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Methinks some creeds in vestries and churches do forget the hunter wrapped in furs by the Great Slave Lake, and that the Esquimauxsledges are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/methinks-some-creeds-in-vestries-and-churches-do-forget-the-hunter/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [I have much to learn of the Indian, nothing of the missionary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/i-have-much-to-learn-of-the-indian-nothing-of-the-missionary/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Priests and physicians should never look one another in the face. They have no common ground, nor is there any to mediate betweenthem. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/priests-and-physicians-should-never-look-one-another-in-the-face-they/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Good religious men, with the love of men in their hearts, and the means to pay their toll in their pockets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/good-religious-men-with-the-love-of-men-in-their-hearts-and-the-means/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [An ordinary man will work every day for a year at shoveling dirt to support his body, or a family of bodies; but he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/an-ordinary-man-will-work-every-day-for-a-year-at-shoveling-dirt-to/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [I have heard of a minister, who had been a fisherman, being settled in Bridgewater for as long a time as he could tell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/i-have-heard-of-a-minister-who-had-been-a-fisherman-being-settled-in/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [The inhabitants of Canada appeared to be suffering between two fires,--the soldiery and the priesthood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/the-inhabitants-of-canada-appeared-to-be-suffering-between-two-fires/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [“The fact that they viewed their wealth as a result of their own hands, without any honor other than lip service being given to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-goff/the-fact-that-they-viewed-their-wealth-as-a-result-of-their-own-hands/) [Lee Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-goff/) ## More by Henry David Thoreau > [If ever I did a man any goodof course it was something exceptional and insignificant compared with the good or evil which I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/if-ever-i-did-a-man-any-goodof-course-it-was-something-exceptional/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. They are but improved means to an unimproved end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/our-inventions-are-wont-to-be-pretty-toys-which-distract-our/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [“Men say they know many things; But lo! they have taken wings, — The arts and sciences, And a thousand appliances; The wind that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/men-say-they-know-many-things-but-lo-they-have-taken-wings-the-arts/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [I am not afraid of praise, for I have practiced it on myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/i-am-not-afraid-of-praise-for-i-have-practiced-it-on-myself/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [“All voting is a sort of gaming, like checkers or back gammon, with a slight moral tinge to it, a playing with right and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/all-voting-is-a-sort-of-gaming-like-checkers-or-back-gammon-with-a/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [“This spending of the best part of one's life earning money in order to enjoy a questionable liberty during the least valuable part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/this-spending-of-the-best-part-of-one-s-life-earning-money-in-order/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [As for doing good; that is one of the professions which is full. Moreover I have tried it fairly and, strange as it may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/as-for-doing-good-that-is-one-of-the-professions-which-is-full/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [A traveler who looks at things with an impartial eye may see what the oldest inhabitant has not observed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/a-traveler-who-looks-at-things-with-an-impartial-eye-may-see-what-the/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [In proportion as our inward life fails, we go more constantly and desperately to the post office. You may depend on it, that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/in-proportion-as-our-inward-life-fails-we-go-more-constantly-and/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [I had three chairs in my house; one for solitude, two for friendship, three for society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/i-had-three-chairs-in-my-house-one-for-solitude-two-for-friendship/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [The still youthful energies of the globe have only to be directed in their proper channel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/the-still-youthful-energies-of-the-globe-have-only-to-be-directed-in/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Concord's little arch does not span all our fate, nor is what transpires under it law for the universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/concord-s-little-arch-does-not-span-all-our-fate-nor-is-what/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [The lumberers rarely trouble themselves to put out their fires, such is the dampness of the primitive forest; and this is one cause, no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/the-lumberers-rarely-trouble-themselves-to-put-out-their-fires-such/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [“When he has obtained those things which are necessary to life, there is another alternative than to obtain the superfluities; and that is, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/when-he-has-obtained-those-things-which-are-necessary-to-life-there/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Wealth is measured by the level of experience in all aspects of life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/wealth-is-measured-by-the-level-of-experience-in-all-aspects-of-life/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) [Explore all 3,376 Henry David Thoreau quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) ## More Clergy quotes > [Rulers who wished to subvert the public liberty, may have found an established Clergy convenient auxiliaries. A just Government instituted to secure & perpetuate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/rulers-who-wished-to-subvert-the-public-liberty-may-have-found-an/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [Every sensible man, every honorable man, must hold the Christian sect in horror." "Christianity is the most ridiculous, the most absurd and bloody religion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltaire/every-sensible-man-every-honorable-man-must-hold-the-christian-sect/) [Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/) > [The great object was to get rid of Christianity, and to convert our churches into halls of science. The plan was not to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orestes-brownson/the-great-object-was-to-get-rid-of-christianity-and-to-convert-our/) [Orestes Brownson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orestes-brownson/) > [ The law for religious freedom... \[has\]put down the aristocracy of the clergy and restored to the citizen the freedom of the mind. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-law-for-religious-freedom-has-put-down-the-aristocracy-of-the/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The clergy converted the simple teachings of Jesus into an engine for enslaving mankind and adulterated by artificial constructions into a contrivance to filch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-clergy-converted-the-simple-teachings-of-jesus-into-an-engine-for/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [If the liberties of the American people are ever destroyed, they will fall by the hands of the clergy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marquis-de-lafayette/if-the-liberties-of-the-american-people-are-ever-destroyed-they-will/) [Marquis de Lafayette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marquis-de-lafayette/) > [The military and the clergy cause us much annoyance; the clergy and the military, they empty our wallets and rob our intelligence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-grillparzer/the-military-and-the-clergy-cause-us-much-annoyance-the-clergy-and/) [Franz Grillparzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-grillparzer/) > [ “There exists indeed an opposition to it \[ building of UVA, Jefferson's secular college \] by the friends of William and Mary, which is… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/there-exists-indeed-an-opposition-to-it-building-of-uva-jefferson-s/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“We are like the moon. The moon shines anyway, but it does not produce its own light. It reflects the light illuminated onto its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/we-are-like-the-moon-the-moon-shines-anyway-but-it-does-not-produce/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [I am opposed to any form of tyranny over the mind of man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-am-opposed-to-any-form-of-tyranny-over-the-mind-of-man/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Far, far from the clergy be the love of novelty!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-pius-x/far-far-from-the-clergy-be-the-love-of-novelty/) [Pope Pius X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-pius-x/) > [so long as you believe that man is essentially evil in nature, and a more vicious doctrine was never promulgated, it follows that he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-roe/so-long-as-you-believe-that-man-is-essentially-evil-in-nature-and-a/) [Anne Roe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-roe/) > [ The clergy \[in the 14th century\] on the whole were probably no more lecherous or greedy or untrustworthy than other men, but because they… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-tuchman/the-clergy-in-the-14th-century-on-the-whole-were-probably-no-more/) [Barbara Tuchman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-tuchman/) > [“Sometimes silences are pregnant and sometimes not. It is hard to know what to make of the silence of much of the New Testament…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-witherington-iii/sometimes-silences-are-pregnant-and-sometimes-not-it-is-hard-to-know/) [Ben Witherington III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-witherington-iii/) > [I have always considered a clergyman as the father of a larger family than he is able to maintain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/i-have-always-considered-a-clergyman-as-the-father-of-a-larger-family/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) [Browse all 235 Clergy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clergy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is remarkable that among all the preachers there are so few moral teachers. 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