--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Some have supposed that the mosquito is…" description: "\"Some have supposed that the mosquito is of a devout turn, and never will partake of a meal without first saying grace. The devotions of some men are bu..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f7/henry-ward-beecher-175_blood_some-have-supposed-that-the-mosquito-is_1984846.png" --- # Some have supposed that the mosquito is of a devout turn… ![“Some have supposed that the mosquito is of a devout turn, and never will partake of a meal without first saying grace. The devotions of some men are but a preface to blood-sucking.” quote by Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f7/henry-ward-beecher-175_blood_some-have-supposed-that-the-mosquito-is_1984846.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f7/henry-ward-beecher-175_blood_some-have-supposed-that-the-mosquito-is_1984846.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f7/henry-ward-beecher-175_blood_some-have-supposed-that-the-mosquito-is_1984846.png) > “Some have supposed that the mosquito is of a devout turn, and never will partake of a meal without first saying grace. The devotions of some men are but a preface to blood-sucking.” [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Humorously critiques how some people perform religious rituals before indulging in selfish acts, likening it to a mosquito's blood‑sucking. **In simple terms:** People often hide selfish motives behind pious gestures. Key Takeaway Beware of empty rituals. Themes hypocrisy religion morality Mood wry critical Type satirical observational When to use this quote - political speeches - personal confessions - media commentary Key Concepts social critique satire Questions to Reflect On - Do you ever mask self‑interest with ritual? - How can sincerity be distinguished from performance? A Different Perspective May overlook genuine faith. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Devotion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/devotion/) [Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grace/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) ## Related quotes > [I see myself as a roving mosquito, choosing it's target.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-williams/i-see-myself-as-a-roving-mosquito-choosing-it-s-target/) [Kenneth Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-williams/) > [If a mosquito has a soul, it is mostly evil. So I don't have too many qualms about putting a mosquito out of its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-hofstadter/if-a-mosquito-has-a-soul-it-is-mostly-evil-so-i-don-t-have-too-many/) [Douglas Hofstadter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-hofstadter/) > [Do not use a cannon to kill a mosquito.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/do-not-use-a-cannon-to-kill-a-mosquito/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [“In my reality all the mosquitoes are vampires and all fireflies are dragons.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/munia-khan/in-my-reality-all-the-mosquitoes-are-vampires-and-all-fireflies-are/) [Munia Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/munia-khan/) > [You don't hate the mosquito; you just want it out of your face.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-cowell/you-don-t-hate-the-mosquito-you-just-want-it-out-of-your-face/) [Simon Cowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-cowell/) > [Anyone who thinks he's too small to make a difference has never been bit by a mosquito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeannette-walls/anyone-who-thinks-he-s-too-small-to-make-a-difference-has-never-been/) [Jeannette Walls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeannette-walls/) > [Take a lesson from the mosquito. She never waits for an opening - she makes one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirk-kirkpatrick/take-a-lesson-from-the-mosquito-she-never-waits-for-an-opening-she/) [Kirk Kirkpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirk-kirkpatrick/) > [We scarified a mosquito. I bet that's what did it. It was probably a virgin too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/we-scarified-a-mosquito-i-bet-that-s-what-did-it-it-was-probably-a/) [Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/) > [“The mosquitoes around here are so mean - one day I saw one chase a bird into a birdhouse. The only thing that save…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/possibly-an-alaskan/the-mosquitoes-around-here-are-so-mean-one-day-i-saw-one-chase-a-bird/) possibly an Alaskan > [Life is a hailstorm of distractions. It's not the monster that stops us but the mosquito.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-g-allen/life-is-a-hailstorm-of-distractions-it-s-not-the-monster-that-stops/) [Robert G. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-g-allen/) > [People who say that small things don't bother them have never slept in a room with a mosquito.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-rainey/people-who-say-that-small-things-don-t-bother-them-have-never-slept/) [Dennis Rainey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-rainey/) > [“Don't be afraid to bite on a giant, learn from the mosquito”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bangambiki-habyarimana/don-t-be-afraid-to-bite-on-a-giant-learn-from-the-mosquito/) [Bangambiki Habyarimana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bangambiki-habyarimana/) > [Not a lot of attention has been paid to the Asian tiger mosquito, which is another species which we believe can also transmit Zika…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-harrington/not-a-lot-of-attention-has-been-paid-to-the-asian-tiger-mosquito/) [Laura Harrington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-harrington/) > [To me, there is nothing more soothing than the song of a mosquito that can't get through the mesh to bite you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madison-smartt-bell/to-me-there-is-nothing-more-soothing-than-the-song-of-a-mosquito-that/) [Madison Smartt Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madison-smartt-bell/) > [Music as background to me becomes like a mosquito, an insect. In the studio we have big speakers, and to me that's the way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lynch/music-as-background-to-me-becomes-like-a-mosquito-an-insect-in-the/) [David Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lynch/) ## More by Henry Ward Beecher > [Astronomers have built telescopes which can show myriads of stars unseen before; but when a man looks through a tear in his own eye,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/astronomers-have-built-telescopes-which-can-show-myriads-of-stars/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [A lie always needs a truth for a handle to it. The worst lies are those whose blade is false, but whose handle is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/a-lie-always-needs-a-truth-for-a-handle-to-it-the-worst-lies-are/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [Miracles are like candles lit up until the sun rises, and then blown out. Therefore, I am amused when I hear sects and churches…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/miracles-are-like-candles-lit-up-until-the-sun-rises-and-then-blown/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [Even a liar tells a hundred truths to one lie; he has to, to make the lie good for anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/even-a-liar-tells-a-hundred-truths-to-one-lie-he-has-to-to-make-the/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [Laws are not masters but servants, and he rules them who obey them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/laws-are-not-masters-but-servants-and-he-rules-them-who-obey-them/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [Our sweetest experiences of affection are meant to be suggestions of that realm which is the home of the heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/our-sweetest-experiences-of-affection-are-meant-to-be-suggestions-of/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [In America there is not one single element of civilization that is not made to depend, in the end, upon public opinion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/in-america-there-is-not-one-single-element-of-civilization-that-is/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [The best lessons a man ever learns are from his mistakes. It is not for want of schoolmasters that we are still ignorant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/the-best-lessons-a-man-ever-learns-are-from-his-mistakes-it-is-not/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [I never knew an early-rising, hard-working, prudent man, careful of his earnings, and strictly honest who complained of bad luck.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/i-never-knew-an-early-rising-hard-working-prudent-man-careful-of-his/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [THERE are joys which long to be ours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/there-are-joys-which-long-to-be-ours/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [People may talk about the equality of the sexes! They are not equal. The silent smile of a sensible, loving woman will vanquish ten…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/people-may-talk-about-the-equality-of-the-sexes-they-are-not-equal/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [Mirthfulness is in the mind and you cannot get it out. It is just as good in its place as conscience or veneration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/mirthfulness-is-in-the-mind-and-you-cannot-get-it-out-it-is-just-as/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [Mirth is God's medicine. Everybody ought to bathe in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/mirth-is-god-s-medicine-everybody-ought-to-bathe-in-it/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [Some of God's noblest sons, I think, will be selected from those that know how to take wealth, with all its temptations, and maintain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/some-of-god-s-noblest-sons-i-think-will-be-selected-from-those-that/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [You have seen a ship out on the bay, swinging with the tide, and seeming as if it would follow it; and yet it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/you-have-seen-a-ship-out-on-the-bay-swinging-with-the-tide-and/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) [Explore all 990 Henry Ward Beecher quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) ## More Blood quotes > [When you're scared - and I mean really scared, not just hearing a noise in the night, or standing toe to toe with someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/when-you-re-scared-and-i-mean-really-scared-not-just-hearing-a-noise/) [Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/) > [Ye youths and virgins, when your generous blood Has drunk the warmth of fifteen summers, now The loves invite; now to new rapture wakes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-armstrong/ye-youths-and-virgins-when-your-generous-blood-has-drunk-the-warmth/) [John Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-armstrong/) > [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/) > [Don't trust everyone, because one day you will shed tears of blood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunshine/don-t-trust-everyone-because-one-day-you-will-shed-tears-of-blood/) [SunShine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunshine/) > [I have no intention of retiring. Even my blood sugar is better when I'm working.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elaine-stritch/i-have-no-intention-of-retiring-even-my-blood-sugar-is-better-when-i/) [Elaine Stritch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elaine-stritch/) > [What about you three, where are you going?" Even before Halt answered, Will knew what he was going to say. But that didn't make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/what-about-you-three-where-are-you-going-even-before-halt-answered/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [A day without blood is like a day without sunshine!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-lee-ermey/a-day-without-blood-is-like-a-day-without-sunshine/) [R. Lee Ermey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-lee-ermey/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“...I wore his blood for clothing, on my legs and thighs and hands: a dry, stiff, brown garment with no warmth in it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-le-guin/i-wore-his-blood-for-clothing-on-my-legs-and-thighs-and-hands-a-dry/) [Ursula K. 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