---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I do have a residual belief that, if at…"
description: "\"I do have a residual belief that, if at all possible, you should try not to mock the weak.\" — Ian Hislop"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb3/ian-hislop-25427_belief_i-do-have-a-residual-belief-that-if-at-a_2033864.jpg"
---

#  I do have a residual belief that, if at all possible, you…

![“I do have a residual belief that, if at all possible, you should try not to mock the weak.” quote by Ian Hislop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb3/ian-hislop-25427_belief_i-do-have-a-residual-belief-that-if-at-a_2033864.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb3/ian-hislop-25427_belief_i-do-have-a-residual-belief-that-if-at-a_2033864.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb3/ian-hislop-25427_belief_i-do-have-a-residual-belief-that-if-at-a_2033864.jpg)

> “I do have a residual belief that, if at all possible, you should try not to mock the weak.”

[Ian Hislop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-hislop/)

## About This Quote

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

One should avoid mocking the weak, holding a residual belief that compassion outweighs ridicule when possible.

**In simple terms:** Don’t mock the weak; be compassionate.

Key Takeaway

Practice empathy, refrain from ridicule.

Themes

compassion ethics humility social responsibility empathy

Mood

thoughtful ethical considerate

Type

philosophical motivational

When to use this quote

- workplace interactions
- online discourse
- educational settings
- community leadership

Key Concepts

moral philosophy social dynamics psychology of mockery

Questions to Reflect On

- When is it appropriate to call out weakness?
- How can you foster kindness in hostile environments?

A Different Perspective

Mocking may sometimes be used to challenge harmful behavior; discernment is needed.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) [Belief Possible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief-possible-1163933/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Mock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mock/) [Mock Weak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mock-weak-3750007/) [Residual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/residual/) [Residual Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/residual-belief-3750008/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) [Weak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weak/)

## Related quotes

> [The starting point for a better world is the belief that it is possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/the-starting-point-for-a-better-world-is-the-belief-that-it-is/)

[Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/)

> [“Belief in what is possible makes the impossible redundant.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-redhead/belief-in-what-is-possible-makes-the-impossible-redundant/)

[Steven Redhead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-redhead/)

> [Determination Over Negativity is a belief that anything is possible no matter who you are or where you come from.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donovan-mitchell/determination-over-negativity-is-a-belief-that-anything-is-possible/)

[Donovan Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donovan-mitchell/)

> [The start to a better world is the belief that it is possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lily-tomlin/the-start-to-a-better-world-is-the-belief-that-it-is-possible/)

[Lily Tomlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lily-tomlin/)

> [“At the heart of this story, I think, is a simple, abiding belief: it is possible to live wisely on the land, and to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-l-pez/at-the-heart-of-this-story-i-think-is-a-simple-abiding-belief-it-is/)

[Barry López](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-l-pez/)

> [A person can do other things against his will, but belief is possible only in one who is willing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-person-can-do-other-things-against-his-will-but-belief-is-possible/)

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

> [“Success does not come through grades, degrees or distinctions. It comes through experiences that expand your belief in what is possible" -Matea”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-j-palacio/success-does-not-come-through-grades-degrees-or-distinctions-it-comes/)

[R.J. Palacio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-j-palacio/)

> [Steve Fossett and I would share a common belief that it is possible and good to challenge yourself to the extreme.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cope/steve-fossett-and-i-would-share-a-common-belief-that-it-is-possible/)

[Tim Cope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cope/)

> [It is startling to realize how much unbelief is necessary to make belief possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/it-is-startling-to-realize-how-much-unbelief-is-necessary-to-make/)

[Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/)

> [My overriding belief is that it is always possible for criminals to improve and that by its very finality the death penalty contradicts this.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/my-overriding-belief-is-that-it-is-always-possible-for-criminals-to/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

> [The only way that residual racist feelings could affect legislation, in my opinion, is through a lack of priorities, from not doing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-way-that-residual-racist-feelings-could-affect-legislation/)

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

> [I was able to do Classics, the U.S. national championships and the Pan American Games and feel like I improved with each meet, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-johnson/i-was-able-to-do-classics-the-u-s-national-championships-and-the-pan/)

[Shawn Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-johnson/)

> [The reason for not going out and sinning all you like is the same as the reason for not going out and putting your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-farrar-capon/the-reason-for-not-going-out-and-sinning-all-you-like-is-the-same-as/)

[Robert Farrar Capon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-farrar-capon/)

> [If you don't put the spiritual and religious dimension into our political conversation, you won't be asking the really big and important question. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-brilliant/if-you-don-t-put-the-spiritual-and-religious-dimension-into-our/)

[Larry Brilliant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-brilliant/)

> [New Orleans, more than many places I know, actually tangibly lives its culture. It's not just a residual of life; it's a part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-pierce/new-orleans-more-than-many-places-i-know-actually-tangibly-lives-its/)

[Wendell Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-pierce/)

## More by Ian Hislop

> [I like making films about old people because they are repositories of amazing stories that they tell well. And they're incredibly good telly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-hislop/i-like-making-films-about-old-people-because-they-are-repositories-of/)

[Ian Hislop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-hislop/)

> [This job certainly doesn't win you a huge amount of friends, I accept that, but it is very enjoyable, and deep down I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-hislop/this-job-certainly-doesn-t-win-you-a-huge-amount-of-friends-i-accept/)

[Ian Hislop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-hislop/)

> [They may well say not only is this not true, but I will put in an injunction to prevent publication. No, stories don't go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-hislop/they-may-well-say-not-only-is-this-not-true-but-i-will-put-in-an/)

[Ian Hislop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-hislop/)

> [All the libel lawyers will tell you there's no libel any more, that everyone's given up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-hislop/all-the-libel-lawyers-will-tell-you-there-s-no-libel-any-more-that/)

[Ian Hislop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-hislop/)

> [I'm often accused of being prudish, but the opposite is true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-hislop/i-m-often-accused-of-being-prudish-but-the-opposite-is-true/)

[Ian Hislop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-hislop/)

> [For a long time I thought I should be a civil engineer. That seemed to be the only thing worth doing, and I chose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-hislop/for-a-long-time-i-thought-i-should-be-a-civil-engineer-that-seemed-to/)

[Ian Hislop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-hislop/)

> [There's an awful lot of terrible television which I could do, but I mostly stick to Have I Got News for You.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-hislop/there-s-an-awful-lot-of-terrible-television-which-i-could-do-but-i/)

[Ian Hislop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-hislop/)

> [The best comedy is where you attack the strong, not the weak.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-hislop/the-best-comedy-is-where-you-attack-the-strong-not-the-weak/)

[Ian Hislop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-hislop/)

> [England Their England by AG Macdonell which was written in the thirties and is about a young Scotsman who's got shell shocked during the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-hislop/england-their-england-by-ag-macdonell-which-was-written-in-the/)

[Ian Hislop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-hislop/)

> [In Britian we have a free press. It's not a pretty press, but it's free. The people who can't bear the Daily Mail, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-hislop/in-britian-we-have-a-free-press-it-s-not-a-pretty-press-but-it-s-free/)

[Ian Hislop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-hislop/)

> [My mother was a terrific force in my life. Wartime-generation woman, hadn't gone to university but should have done. Was very funny, very verbal,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-hislop/my-mother-was-a-terrific-force-in-my-life-wartime-generation-woman/)

[Ian Hislop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-hislop/)

> [I've got a very peculiar sort of fame, based on being on the telly. It doesn't mean you have the lifestyle people expect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-hislop/i-ve-got-a-very-peculiar-sort-of-fame-based-on-being-on-the-telly-it/)

[Ian Hislop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-hislop/)

> [You can't understand Twenties England until you appreciate it was under a cloud of mourning. Nearly everyone was grieving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-hislop/you-can-t-understand-twenties-england-until-you-appreciate-it-was/)

[Ian Hislop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-hislop/)

> [Modest about our national pride - and inordinately proud of our national modesty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-hislop/modest-about-our-national-pride-and-inordinately-proud-of-our/)

[Ian Hislop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-hislop/)

> [I get paid to do what I enjoy, not that common a condition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-hislop/i-get-paid-to-do-what-i-enjoy-not-that-common-a-condition/)

[Ian Hislop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-hislop/)

[Explore all 23 Ian Hislop quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-hislop/)

## More Belief quotes

> [“Cine a ucis stelele? Cine a surpat drumul spre viitor al celor din morminte?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ionel-teodoreanu/cine-a-ucis-stelele-cine-a-surpat-drumul-spre-viitor-al-celor-din/)

[Ionel Teodoreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ionel-teodoreanu/)

> [“MIND &amp; GRIND Self-belief and hard work can propel you past more talented peers”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamil-ali/mind-grind-self-belief-and-hard-work-can-propel-you-past-more/)

[Kamil Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamil-ali/)

> [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/)

[Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/)

> [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/)

[Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/)

> [It took me 20 years of hard training to get the physique I have today. what you need is what i had - BELIEF…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/branch-warren/it-took-me-20-years-of-hard-training-to-get-the-physique-i-have-today/)

[Branch Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/branch-warren/)

> [“Here is a fundamental difference between the man of faith and the man of unbelief. The unbeliever is 'of the world', judges everything by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/here-is-a-fundamental-difference-between-the-man-of-faith-and-the-man/)

[Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/)

> [“She herself vacillated when it came to belief. She did not particularly believe in God. Or, rather, she didn't believe in a particular God.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/she-herself-vacillated-when-it-came-to-belief-she-did-not/)

[Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/)

> [Let us remember that every worldview-not just Christianity's-must give an explanation or an answer for evil and suffering...this is not just a problem distinctive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/let-us-remember-that-every-worldview-not-just-christianity-s-must/)

[Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/)

> [“Rigid traditions capture souls prisons of spiritual thought man’s religion has captured a god grown too small and very weak.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-w-earle/rigid-traditions-capture-souls-prisons-of-spiritual-thought-man-s/)

[David W Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-w-earle/)

> [We can find common qualities and common values that have made Britain the country it is. Our belief in tolerance and liberty which shines…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-brown/we-can-find-common-qualities-and-common-values-that-have-made-britain/)

[Gordon Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-brown/)

> [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/)

[Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/)

> [I have tried to resign myself, and to console myself; and that, I hope, I may have done imperfectly; but what I cannot firmly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-have-tried-to-resign-myself-and-to-console-myself-and-that-i-hope-i/)

[Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/)

> [In business, as in politics, it is never easy to go against the beliefs and attitudes held by the majority. The businessman who moves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-paul-getty/in-business-as-in-politics-it-is-never-easy-to-go-against-the-beliefs/)

[J. Paul Getty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-paul-getty/)

> [There's no greatest moment in the arts. It's a life; it's a continuity thing. You can't have a great moment because it's spiritual. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-neiman/there-s-no-greatest-moment-in-the-arts-it-s-a-life-it-s-a-continuity/)

[LeRoy Neiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-neiman/)

> [To preserve an unclouded capacity for the enjoyment of life is an unusual moral and psychological achievement. Contrary to popular belief, it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-branden/to-preserve-an-unclouded-capacity-for-the-enjoyment-of-life-is-an/)

[Nathaniel Branden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-branden/)

[Browse all 10,268 Belief quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I do have a residual belief that, if at all possible, you should try not to mock the weak.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Ian Hislop"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-hislop/i-do-have-a-residual-belief-that-if-at-all-possible-you-should-try/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Belief"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-hislop/i-do-have-a-residual-belief-that-if-at-all-possible-you-should-try/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb3/ian-hislop-25427_belief_i-do-have-a-residual-belief-that-if-at-a_2033864.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb3/ian-hislop-25427_belief_i-do-have-a-residual-belief-that-if-at-a_2033864.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb3/ian-hislop-25427_belief_i-do-have-a-residual-belief-that-if-at-a_2033864.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I do have a residual belief that, if at all possible, you should try not to mock the weak.” — Ian Hislop",
                "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": "Ian Hislop",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-hislop/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I do have a residual belief...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-hislop/i-do-have-a-residual-belief-that-if-at-all-possible-you-should-try/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-hislop/i-do-have-a-residual-belief-that-if-at-all-possible-you-should-try/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
