Articles Quote by J. C. Ryle
“It is easy to criticize and find fault with the conduct of kings, and write furious articles against them in newspapers, or make violent speeches about them on platforms. Any fool can rip and rend a costly garment, but not every man can cut out and make one. To expect perfection in kings, prime ministers, or rulers of any king, is senseless and unreasonable. We would exhibit more wisdom if we prayed for them more, and criticized less.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Practical Ethics, 1949
Criticizing leaders harshly is easy; true wisdom lies in praying for them and offering constructive counsel.
In simple terms: Pray for leaders rather than just criticize.
Key Takeaway
Practice compassionate engagement with authority.
Themes
politics
ethics
leadership
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- public discourse
- policy debates
- community meetings
Key Concepts
humility
wisdom
constructive criticism
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance critique with empathy?
- What practical steps can citizens take to support better governance?
A Different Perspective
Criticism can be necessary for accountability.
![“I wrote an article about the marine landing [in Haiti] right away, but barely mentioned the oil, because my article would come out two months later and I assumed by then, "of course, everybody knows." Nobody knew. There was a news report in the Wall Street Journal, in the petroleum journals, and…” quote by Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dc5/noam-chomsky-42_articles_i-wrote-an-article-about-the-marine-land_13341.jpg)
