--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is no more effort for a man to be a…" description: "\"It is no more effort for a man to be a saint than to be a sinner; it becomes a mere matter of habit.\" — Jerome K. Jerome" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/988/jerome-k-jerome-1155_effort_it-is-no-more-effort-for-a-man-to-be-a-s_2969928.png" --- # It is no more effort for a man to be a saint than to be a… ![“It is no more effort for a man to be a saint than to be a sinner; it becomes a mere matter of habit.” quote by Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/988/jerome-k-jerome-1155_effort_it-is-no-more-effort-for-a-man-to-be-a-s_2969928.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/988/jerome-k-jerome-1155_effort_it-is-no-more-effort-for-a-man-to-be-a-s_2969928.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/988/jerome-k-jerome-1155_effort_it-is-no-more-effort-for-a-man-to-be-a-s_2969928.png) > “It is no more effort for a man to be a saint than to be a sinner; it becomes a mere matter of habit.” [Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-k-jerome/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Being saintly or sinful is just habit, not effort. **In simple terms:** Habit determines moral behavior. Key Takeaway Cultivate good habits. Themes morality habit effort Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - daily routines - personal development - teaching children Key Concepts behavioral psychology ethics Questions to Reflect On - What habit defines your character? - How can you replace a bad habit with a good one? A Different Perspective Changing deep habits can be difficult. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Effort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effort/) [Habit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habit/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Man Saint](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-saint-443693/) [Matter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/matter/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Mere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mere/) [Saint](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saint/) [Saint Sinner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saint-sinner-455663/) [Sinner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sinner/) ## Related quotes > [The only difference between the saint and the sinner is that every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/the-only-difference-between-the-saint-and-the-sinner-is-that-every/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [“You have to be a two people; a saint and a sinner”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sangu-mandanna/you-have-to-be-a-two-people-a-saint-and-a-sinner/) [Sangu Mandanna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sangu-mandanna/) > [The saint and the sinner are twin brothers...one was born but the moment before the other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/the-saint-and-the-sinner-are-twin-brothers-one-was-born-but-the/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [“The man possessed a communal strength of body and soul, coupled with endless compassion and a desire to help the less fortunate of mind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-campisi/the-man-possessed-a-communal-strength-of-body-and-soul-coupled-with/) [Mary Campisi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-campisi/) > [“I understood this man was a Saint," he said. "Something even rarer," said Dr. Urbino, "An atheistic saint. But those are matters for God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabriel-garc-a-m-rquez/i-understood-this-man-was-a-saint-he-said-something-even-rarer-said/) [Gabriel García Márquez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabriel-garc-a-m-rquez/) > [To be a great man and a saint to oneself, that's the only important thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-baudelaire/to-be-a-great-man-and-a-saint-to-oneself-that-s-the-only-important/) [Charles Baudelaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-baudelaire/) > [“The transition from the good man to the saint is a sort of revolution; by which one for whom all things illustrate and illuminate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-k-chesterton/the-transition-from-the-good-man-to-the-saint-is-a-sort-of-revolution/) [G.K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-k-chesterton/) > [Alongside the statement about one man's poison being another man's high, one might as well add that one man's saint can be another man's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-kesey/alongside-the-statement-about-one-man-s-poison-being-another-man-s/) [Ken Kesey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-kesey/) > [By loving, the man becomes saint and thus he becomes Destiny!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sorin-cerin/by-loving-the-man-becomes-saint-and-thus-he-becomes-destiny/) [Sorin Cerin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sorin-cerin/) > [To make a man a saint, it must indeed be by grace; and whoever doubts this does not know what a saint is, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-make-a-man-a-saint-it-must-indeed-be-by-grace-and-whoever-doubts/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“And Beauvoir knew then the man was a saint. He's been touched by any number of medical men and women. All healers, all well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-penny/and-beauvoir-knew-then-the-man-was-a-saint-he-s-been-touched-by-any/) [Louise Penny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-penny/) > [No man can become a saint in his sleep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-drummond/no-man-can-become-a-saint-in-his-sleep/) [Henry Drummond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-drummond/) > [To be a great man and a saint for oneself, that is the only important thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-baudelaire/to-be-a-great-man-and-a-saint-for-oneself-that-is-the-only-important/) [Charles Baudelaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-baudelaire/) > [Make this man a saint now, OK?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/make-this-man-a-saint-now-ok/) [Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) > [“I declare this man a saint!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-cormier/i-declare-this-man-a-saint/) [Andrew Cormier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-cormier/) ## More by Jerome K. Jerome > [“George goes to sleep at a bank from ten to four each day, except Saturdays, when they wake him up and put him outside…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-k-jerome/george-goes-to-sleep-at-a-bank-from-ten-to-four-each-day-except/) [Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-k-jerome/) > [“He would use a bit of string this time, and at the critical moment, when the old fool was leaning over the chair at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-k-jerome/he-would-use-a-bit-of-string-this-time-and-at-the-critical-moment/) [Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-k-jerome/) > [Some people are under the impression that all that is required to make a good fisherman is the ability to tell lies easily and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-k-jerome/some-people-are-under-the-impression-that-all-that-is-required-to/) [Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-k-jerome/) > [It is easy enough to say that poverty is no crime. No; if it were men wouldn't be ashamed of it. It is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-k-jerome/it-is-easy-enough-to-say-that-poverty-is-no-crime-no-if-it-were-men/) [Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-k-jerome/) > [Love is woman's business,and in "business" we all lay aside our natural weaknesses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-k-jerome/love-is-woman-s-business-and-in-business-we-all-lay-aside-our-natural/) [Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-k-jerome/) > [We are but the veriest, sorriest slaves of our stomach. Reach not after morality and righteousness, my friends; watch vigilantly your stomach, and diet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-k-jerome/we-are-but-the-veriest-sorriest-slaves-of-our-stomach-reach-not-after/) [Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-k-jerome/) > [“There was no ground-floor — its ground-floor belonged to a house in the next court, and the front door opened direct upon a flight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-k-jerome/there-was-no-ground-floor-its-ground-floor-belonged-to-a-house-in-the/) [Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-k-jerome/) > [“I can understand the ignorant masses loving to soak themselves in drink—oh, yes, it's very shocking that they should, of course—very shocking to us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-k-jerome/i-can-understand-the-ignorant-masses-loving-to-soak-themselves-in/) [Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-k-jerome/) > [ They \[dogs\] never talk about themselves but listen to you while you talk about yourself, and keep up an appearance of being interested in… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-k-jerome/they-dogs-never-talk-about-themselves-but-listen-to-you-while-you/) [Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-k-jerome/) > [“And we sit there, by its margin, while the moon, who loves it too, stoops down to kiss it with a sister’s kiss, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-k-jerome/and-we-sit-there-by-its-margin-while-the-moon-who-loves-it-too-stoops/) [Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-k-jerome/) > [“The only feeling that a closer intimacy has created in him for his wife is that of indulgent contempt. As there is no equality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-k-jerome/the-only-feeling-that-a-closer-intimacy-has-created-in-him-for-his/) [Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-k-jerome/) > [Evil thought is a dangerous pet. It is safer to play with it from behind the iron bars of circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-k-jerome/evil-thought-is-a-dangerous-pet-it-is-safer-to-play-with-it-from/) [Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-k-jerome/) > [If you are foolish enough to be contented, don't show it, but grumble with the rest; and if you can do with a little,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-k-jerome/if-you-are-foolish-enough-to-be-contented-don-t-show-it-but-grumble/) [Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-k-jerome/) > [Life will always remain a gamble, with prizes sometimes for the imprudent, and blanks so often to the wise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-k-jerome/life-will-always-remain-a-gamble-with-prizes-sometimes-for-the/) [Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-k-jerome/) > [“You can never rouse Harris. There is no poetry about Harris- no wild yearning for the unattainable. Harris never "weeps, he knows not why."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-k-jerome/you-can-never-rouse-harris-there-is-no-poetry-about-harris-no-wild/) [Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-k-jerome/) [Explore all 267 Jerome K. Jerome quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-k-jerome/) ## More Effort quotes > [I value the experiences that come with life too much to sit by and not put my full effort into them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-miller/i-value-the-experiences-that-come-with-life-too-much-to-sit-by-and/) [Jim Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-miller/) > [An enlightened awareness is within each one of us, right at this moment. This enlightened awareness is truly unborn and marvellously illuminating; and everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bankei-yotaku/an-enlightened-awareness-is-within-each-one-of-us-right-at-this/) [Bankei Yotaku](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bankei-yotaku/) > [Now I try to make efforts, you know, I'm just, the best effort I can do is just stay sober myself. I can at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-dick/now-i-try-to-make-efforts-you-know-i-m-just-the-best-effort-i-can-do/) [Andy Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-dick/) > [Reading counts as partying, even if you're not enjoying it! Even if someone's forcing you to read, you can find a way to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-w-k/reading-counts-as-partying-even-if-you-re-not-enjoying-it-even-if/) [Andrew W.K](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-w-k/) > [ Bernie \[Ecclestone\] is the commercial rights holder so the more outgoing the champion is, the better. Of course. I also do think about our… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-ecclestone/bernie-ecclestone-is-the-commercial-rights-holder-so-the-more/) [Bernie Ecclestone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-ecclestone/) > [All efforts to render politics aesthetic culminate in one thing: war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-benjamin/all-efforts-to-render-politics-aesthetic-culminate-in-one-thing-war/) [Walter Benjamin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-benjamin/) > [Im tired, tired of putting more effort than you do. Im tired of always having to start the conversation and if I dont, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/im-tired-tired-of-putting-more-effort-than-you-do-im-tired-of-always/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It is for the superfluous we sweat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/it-is-for-the-superfluous-we-sweat/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [Only alone can you go into eternity. Only alone can you feel the transcendental light. It is not a shared experience because if it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/only-alone-can-you-go-into-eternity-only-alone-can-you-feel-the/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [I love a pocket. I'm about helping women look as good as possible on the least amount of effort. 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