--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It would be more honourable to our…" description: "\"It would be more honourable to our distinguished ancestors to praise them in words less, but in deeds to imitate them more.\" — Horace Mann" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/027/horace-mann-2022_ancestor_it-would-be-more-honourable-to-our-disti_2454421.png" --- # It would be more honourable to our distinguished ancestors… ![“It would be more honourable to our distinguished ancestors to praise them in words less, but in deeds to imitate them more.” quote by Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/027/horace-mann-2022_ancestor_it-would-be-more-honourable-to-our-disti_2454421.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/027/horace-mann-2022_ancestor_it-would-be-more-honourable-to-our-disti_2454421.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/027/horace-mann-2022_ancestor_it-would-be-more-honourable-to-our-disti_2454421.png) > “It would be more honourable to our distinguished ancestors to praise them in words less, but in deeds to imitate them more.” [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Honor ancestors by emulating their deeds rather than merely praising them with words. **In simple terms:** Live out values instead of just speaking about them. Key Takeaway Act on the virtues you admire. Themes legacy action integrity role models Mood respectful determined Type motivational ethical When to use this quote - community projects - family traditions - leadership decisions Key Concepts ethical behavior civic duty historical influence Questions to Reflect On - Which ancestor’s actions inspire you most? - How can you translate admiration into concrete deeds? A Different Perspective Words alone cannot sustain a legacy without action. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ancestor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ancestor/) [Deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deeds/) [Grandparent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grandparent/) [Honourable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honourable/) [Parents and grandparents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parents-and-grandparents/) [Praise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praise/) ## Related quotes > [Distinguished ancestors shed a powerful light on their descendants, and forbid the concealment either of their merits or of their demerits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sallust/distinguished-ancestors-shed-a-powerful-light-on-their-descendants/) [Sallust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sallust/) > [“Words to intrigue, inspire, examine, question, praise; Words to help us appreciate our world, our selves, our games; Words to dance our true soul…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-woodman/words-to-intrigue-inspire-examine-question-praise-words-to-help-us/) [Jay Woodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-woodman/) > [Praise to the Holiest in the height, And in the depth be praise; In all His words most wonderful, Most sure in all His…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-henry-newman/praise-to-the-holiest-in-the-height-and-in-the-depth-be-praise-in-all/) [John Henry Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-henry-newman/) > [“Give thanks to the Lord God Almighty. Praise Him with your words and deeds continually.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gift-gugu-mona/give-thanks-to-the-lord-god-almighty-praise-him-with-your-words-and/) [Gift Gugu Mona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gift-gugu-mona/) > [Rarely has any people enjoyed greater prosperity than we are now enjoying. For this we render heartfelt and solemn thanks to the Giver of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/rarely-has-any-people-enjoyed-greater-prosperity-than-we-are-now/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [His designs were strictly honourable, as the phrase is; that is, to rob a lady of her fortune by way of marriage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-fielding/his-designs-were-strictly-honourable-as-the-phrase-is-that-is-to-rob/) [Henry Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-fielding/) > [“What is holy is Honourable.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/what-is-holy-is-honourable/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [It is better to be honourable than be honoured.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shiv-khera/it-is-better-to-be-honourable-than-be-honoured/) [Shiv Khera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shiv-khera/) > [Every post is honourable in which a man can serve his country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/every-post-is-honourable-in-which-a-man-can-serve-his-country/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [Women are much more honourable than men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-firrell/women-are-much-more-honourable-than-men/) [Martin Firrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-firrell/) > [“Here people was once used to be honourable: now they are all bad; they have kept one goodness: that they are greatest boozers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-polo/here-people-was-once-used-to-be-honourable-now-they-are-all-bad-they/) [Marco Polo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-polo/) > [“Every country is a battlefield for the struggle between honest and dishonest, between honourable and honourless people! At the end, the character of that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/every-country-is-a-battlefield-for-the-struggle-between-honest-and/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [Sometimes I wonder if people realise how beautiful and honourable I find it to play for my country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/memphis-depay/sometimes-i-wonder-if-people-realise-how-beautiful-and-honourable-i/) [Memphis Depay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/memphis-depay/) > [Marriage is honourable, as you say; and if so, wherefore should Cuckoldom be a Discredit, being deriv'd from so honourable a Root?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-congreve/marriage-is-honourable-as-you-say-and-if-so-wherefore-should/) [William Congreve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-congreve/) > [I'm not saying that everything I did was right, but everything I did was for an honourable purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-kuan-yew/i-m-not-saying-that-everything-i-did-was-right-but-everything-i-did/) [Lee Kuan Yew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-kuan-yew/) ## More by Horace Mann > [When will society, like a mother, take care of all her children?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/when-will-society-like-a-mother-take-care-of-all-her-children/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) > [The earth endured Christ's ministry only three years;--not three weeks after his real character and purposes were generally known.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/the-earth-endured-christ-s-ministry-only-three-years-not-three-weeks/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) > [If evil is inevitable, how are the wicked accountable? Nay, why do we call men wicked at all? Evil is inevitable, but is also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/if-evil-is-inevitable-how-are-the-wicked-accountable-nay-why-do-we/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) > [The soul of the truly benevolent man does not seem to reside much in his own body. Its life, to a great extent, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/the-soul-of-the-truly-benevolent-man-does-not-seem-to-reside-much-in/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) > [The pulpit only "teaches" to be honest; the market-place "trains" to overreaching and fraud; and teaching has not a tithe of the efficiency of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/the-pulpit-only-teaches-to-be-honest-the-market-place-trains-to/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) > [On entering this world our starting-point is ignorance. None, however, but idiots remain there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/on-entering-this-world-our-starting-point-is-ignorance-none-however/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) > [So, in the infinitely nobler battle in which you are engaged against error and wrong, if ever repulsed or stricken down, may you always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/so-in-the-infinitely-nobler-battle-in-which-you-are-engaged-against/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) > [We conceive of immortality as having a beginning, but no end; but we conceive of eternity as having neither beginning nor end. Hence it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/we-conceive-of-immortality-as-having-a-beginning-but-no-end-but-we/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) > [In our country and in our times no man is worthy the honored name of statesman who does not include the highest practicable education…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/in-our-country-and-in-our-times-no-man-is-worthy-the-honored-name-of/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) > [Genius may conceive but patient labor must consummate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/genius-may-conceive-but-patient-labor-must-consummate/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) > [Even the choicest literature should be taken as the condiment, and not as the sustenance of life. It should be neither the warp nor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/even-the-choicest-literature-should-be-taken-as-the-condiment-and-not/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) > [Of all "rights" which command attention at the present time among us, woman's rights seem to take precedence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/of-all-rights-which-command-attention-at-the-present-time-among-us/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) > [After a child has arrived at the legal age for attending school,-whether he be the child of noble or of peasant,-the only two absolute…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/after-a-child-has-arrived-at-the-legal-age-for-attending-school/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) > [Let the Common School be expanded to its capabilities, let it be worked with the efficiency of which it is susceptible, and nine tenths…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/let-the-common-school-be-expanded-to-its-capabilities-let-it-be/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) > [Resistance to improvement contradicts the noblest instincts of the race. It begets its opposite. The fanaticism of reform is only the raging of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/resistance-to-improvement-contradicts-the-noblest-instincts-of-the/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) [Explore all 191 Horace Mann quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) ## More Ancestor quotes > [A lot of indigenous cultures are deeply involved in working with ancestor spirits, elemental spirits, and demons. Many of these cultures feel that, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-pinchbeck/a-lot-of-indigenous-cultures-are-deeply-involved-in-working-with/) [Daniel Pinchbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-pinchbeck/) > [Food binds us to our roots as strongly as any song or poem. Many of us have learned more about our ancestors in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-thomas/food-binds-us-to-our-roots-as-strongly-as-any-song-or-poem-many-of-us/) [Anna Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-thomas/) > [Whereas our ancestors (not of choice) were the first successful cultivators of the wilds of America, we their descendants feel ourselves entitled to participate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-allen/whereas-our-ancestors-not-of-choice-were-the-first-successful/) [Richard Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-allen/) > [Going where no man has gone before is more difficult than it sounds. Our cousins and ancestors were no less curious than we are,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-d-wilson/going-where-no-man-has-gone-before-is-more-difficult-than-it-sounds/) [N.D. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-d-wilson/) > [I use the phrase 'sibling society' to suggest a culture fundamentally without fathers, mothers, grandfathers, grandmothers, or ancestors. The thinking is horizontal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bly/i-use-the-phrase-sibling-society-to-suggest-a-culture-fundamentally/) [Robert Bly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bly/) > [“A very long time ago, some 2.5 million years B.C., the mother of human species as we know it, our ultimate ancestor, appeared in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-f-cantor/a-very-long-time-ago-some-2-5-million-years-b-c-the-mother-of-human/) [Norman F. Cantor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-f-cantor/) > [High birth is an accident, not a virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pietro-metastasio/high-birth-is-an-accident-not-a-virtue/) [Pietro Metastasio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pietro-metastasio/) > [Southerners, whose ancestors a hundred years ago knew the horrors of a homeland devastated by war, are particularly determined that war shall never come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/southerners-whose-ancestors-a-hundred-years-ago-knew-the-horrors-of-a/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [Two hundred years ago, before the advent of capitalism, a man's social status was fixed from the beginning to the end of his life;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/two-hundred-years-ago-before-the-advent-of-capitalism-a-man-s-social/) [Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/) > [And I saw for the first time how, despite the isolation of our own lives, we are always connected to our ancestors; our bodies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alyson-richman/and-i-saw-for-the-first-time-how-despite-the-isolation-of-our-own/) [Alyson Richman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alyson-richman/) > [There is an ancient Indian saying: "We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children." If we use…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-schroeder/there-is-an-ancient-indian-saying-we-do-not-inherit-the-earth-from/) [Patricia Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-schroeder/) > [It is how it has always been. We will accept the legacy of our ancestors,' Asha says, smiling, and in her smile I do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/it-is-how-it-has-always-been-we-will-accept-the-legacy-of-our/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [My ancestors came over from Germany about the time of the Civil War and one of them lost a leg and went back to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-vonnegut/my-ancestors-came-over-from-germany-about-the-time-of-the-civil-war/) [Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-vonnegut/) > [ Now they \[the Powers\] have started the aggression, and the extinction of our nation is imminent. 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Wrapped tightly in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janine-benyus/a-solitary-american-monk-named-thomas-berry-writes-that-in-our/) [Janine Benyus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janine-benyus/) [Browse all 767 Ancestor quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ancestor/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It would be more honourable to our distinguished ancestors to praise them in words less, but in deeds to imitate them more.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Horace Mann" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/it-would-be-more-honourable-to-our-distinguished-ancestors-to-praise/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ancestor" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/it-would-be-more-honourable-to-our-distinguished-ancestors-to-praise/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/027/horace-mann-2022_ancestor_it-would-be-more-honourable-to-our-disti_2454421.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/027/horace-mann-2022_ancestor_it-would-be-more-honourable-to-our-disti_2454421.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/027/horace-mann-2022_ancestor_it-would-be-more-honourable-to-our-disti_2454421.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It would be more honourable to our distinguished ancestors to praise them in words less, but in deeds to…” — Horace Mann", "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": "Horace Mann", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It would be more honourable to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/it-would-be-more-honourable-to-our-distinguished-ancestors-to-praise/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/it-would-be-more-honourable-to-our-distinguished-ancestors-to-praise/#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 } } ] } ```