--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Thinking the deed, and not the creed…" description: "\"Thinking the deed, and not the creed, Would help us in our utmost need.\" — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f41/henry-wadsworth-longfellow-284_creeds_thinking-the-deed-and-not-the-creed-woul_1354254.jpg" --- # Thinking the deed, and not the creed, Would help us in our… ![“Thinking the deed, and not the creed, Would help us in our utmost need.” quote by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f41/henry-wadsworth-longfellow-284_creeds_thinking-the-deed-and-not-the-creed-woul_1354254.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f41/henry-wadsworth-longfellow-284_creeds_thinking-the-deed-and-not-the-creed-woul_1354254.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f41/henry-wadsworth-longfellow-284_creeds_thinking-the-deed-and-not-the-creed-woul_1354254.jpg) > “Thinking the deed, and not the creed, Would help us in our utmost need.” [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Actions speak louder than words; true character shows in deeds, not just beliefs. **In simple terms:** Deeds matter more than creed. Key Takeaway Focus on actions, not just words. Themes character integrity action Mood reflective inspirational Type ethical motivational When to use this quote - leadership - personal relationships - community service Key Concepts Moral philosophy authenticity Questions to Reflect On - How can we align belief and action? - What actions best reflect our values? A Different Perspective Deeds alone may not fix systemic issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Creeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creeds/) [Deed Creed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deed-creed-1223136/) [Deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deeds/) [Gardening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gardening/) [Help Utmost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/help-utmost-3877739/) [Helping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helping/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirit/) [Spirituality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirituality/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Thinking Deed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking-deed-4615464/) [Utmost Need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/utmost-need-4615465/) ## Related quotes > [They say: Belief is important. I say: No, actions are important. Judge by deed, not by creed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/they-say-belief-is-important-i-say-no-actions-are-important-judge-by/) [Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/) > [If only every man would make proper use of his strength and do his utmost, he need never regret his limited ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/if-only-every-man-would-make-proper-use-of-his-strength-and-do-his/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [This is our special duty, that if anyone specially needs our help, we should give him such help to the utmost of our power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/this-is-our-special-duty-that-if-anyone-specially-needs-our-help-we/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [“Always, Judaism stresses deed before creed. Your actions, not your beliefs, are the true measure of your character...Judaism teaches that whether a person is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendy-mogel/always-judaism-stresses-deed-before-creed-your-actions-not-your/) [Wendy Mogel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendy-mogel/) > [And so the Word had breath, and wrought With human hands the creed of creeds In loveliness of perfect deeds, More strong than all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/and-so-the-word-had-breath-and-wrought-with-human-hands-the-creed-of/) [Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/) > [Thou waitest for the spark from heaven! and we, Light half-believers of our casual creeds, Who never deeply felt, nor clearly will'd, Whose insight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-arnold/thou-waitest-for-the-spark-from-heaven-and-we-light-half-believers-of/) [Matthew Arnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-arnold/) > [We are our own fates.- Our deeds are our own doomsmen.- Man's life was made not for creeds but actions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl-of-lytton/we-are-our-own-fates-our-deeds-are-our-own-doomsmen-man-s-life-was/) [Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Earl of Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl-of-lytton/) > [Religion? Yes, I know it well; I've heard its prayers and creeds, And seen men put them all to shame with poor, half-hearted deeds.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/religion-yes-i-know-it-well-i-ve-heard-its-prayers-and-creeds-and/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [When indeed shall we learn that we are all related one to the other, that we are all members of one body? 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With this creed, revenge never worries my heart, degradation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/life-appears-to-me-too-short-to-be-spent-in-nursing-animosity-or/) [Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) ## More by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow > [The spring came suddenly, bursting upon the world as a child bursts into a room, with a laugh and a shout and hands full…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/the-spring-came-suddenly-bursting-upon-the-world-as-a-child-bursts/) [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/) > [In old age our bodies are worn-out instruments, on which the soul tries in vain to play the melodies of youth. 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Alike were they free from   Fear,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/thus-dwelt-together-in-love-these-simple-acadian-farmers-dwelt-in-the/) [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/) > [The trees are white with dust, that o'er their sleep Wave their broad curtains in the south-wind's breath, While underneath such leafy tents they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/the-trees-are-white-with-dust-that-o-er-their-sleep-wave-their-broad/) [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/) > [Heights by great men reached and kept were not obtained by sudden flight but, while their companions slept, they were toiling upward in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/heights-by-great-men-reached-and-kept-were-not-obtained-by-sudden/) [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/) > [All things come round to him who will but wait.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/all-things-come-round-to-him-who-will-but-wait/) [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/) > [Ah, how skillful grows the hand That obeyeth Love's command! 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Then was peace among…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/buried-was-the-bloody-hatchet-buried-was-the-dreadful-war-club-buried/) [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/) [Explore all 755 Henry Wadsworth Longfellow quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/) ## More Creeds quotes > [Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity, or registering wrongs. With this creed, revenge never worries my heart, degradation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/life-appears-to-me-too-short-to-be-spent-in-nursing-animosity-or/) [Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [When indeed shall we learn that we are all related one to the other, that we are all members of one body? 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The emancipation of woman is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tennessee-celeste-claflin/the-history-of-woman-is-the-history-of-the-continued-and-universal/) [Tennessee Celeste Claflin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tennessee-celeste-claflin/) > [Hinduism... gave itself no name, because it set itself no sectarian limits; it claimed no universal adhesion, asserted no sole infallible dogma, set up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-aurobindo/hinduism-gave-itself-no-name-because-it-set-itself-no-sectarian/) [Sri Aurobindo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-aurobindo/) > [Vanity Fair has but two major articles in its editorial creed: first, to believe in the progress and promise of American life, and, second,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-crowninshield/vanity-fair-has-but-two-major-articles-in-its-editorial-creed-first/) [Frank Crowninshield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-crowninshield/) > [I believe in an America where the rights that I have described are enjoyed by all, regardless of their race or their creed or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/i-believe-in-an-america-where-the-rights-that-i-have-described-are/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [I questioned the faithful of all communions; I particularly sought the society of clergymen, who are the depositories of the various creeds and have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/i-questioned-the-faithful-of-all-communions-i-particularly-sought-the/) [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/) > [No union exists between church and state, and perfect freedom of opinion is guaranteed to all sects and creeds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-k-polk/no-union-exists-between-church-and-state-and-perfect-freedom-of/) [James K. Polk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-k-polk/) > [The doctrine of eternal punishment is in perfect harmony with the savagery of the men who made the orthodox creeds. It is in harmony…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/the-doctrine-of-eternal-punishment-is-in-perfect-harmony-with-the/) [Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/) > [Political and social justice requires, not the disintegration of a country and destruction or humiliation of a class which shows initiative, intelligence and drive,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/syama-prasad-mukherjee/political-and-social-justice-requires-not-the-disintegration-of-a/) [Syama Prasad Mukherjee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/syama-prasad-mukherjee/) [Browse all 730 Creeds quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creeds/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Thinking the deed, and not the creed, Would help us in our utmost need.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Henry Wadsworth Longfellow" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/thinking-the-deed-and-not-the-creed-would-help-us-in-our-utmost-need/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Creeds" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/thinking-the-deed-and-not-the-creed-would-help-us-in-our-utmost-need/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f41/henry-wadsworth-longfellow-284_creeds_thinking-the-deed-and-not-the-creed-woul_1354254.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f41/henry-wadsworth-longfellow-284_creeds_thinking-the-deed-and-not-the-creed-woul_1354254.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f41/henry-wadsworth-longfellow-284_creeds_thinking-the-deed-and-not-the-creed-woul_1354254.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Thinking the deed, and not the creed, Would help us in our utmost need.” — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow", "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": "Henry Wadsworth Longfellow", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Thinking the deed, and not the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/thinking-the-deed-and-not-the-creed-would-help-us-in-our-utmost-need/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/thinking-the-deed-and-not-the-creed-would-help-us-in-our-utmost-need/#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 } } ] } ```