--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Formed on the good old plan, A true and…" description: "\"Formed on the good old plan, A true and brave and downright honest man! He blew no trumpet in the market-place, Nor in the church with hypocritic face ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a7/john-greenleaf-whittier-2061_brave_formed-on-the-good-old-plan-a-true-and-b_1744468.png" --- # Formed on the good old plan, A true and brave and… ![“Formed on the good old plan, A true and brave and downright honest man! He blew no trumpet in the market-place, Nor in the church with hypocritic face Supplied with cant the lack of Christian grace; Loathing pretence, he did with cheerful will What others talked of while their hands were still.” quote by John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a7/john-greenleaf-whittier-2061_brave_formed-on-the-good-old-plan-a-true-and-b_1744468.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a7/john-greenleaf-whittier-2061_brave_formed-on-the-good-old-plan-a-true-and-b_1744468.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a7/john-greenleaf-whittier-2061_brave_formed-on-the-good-old-plan-a-true-and-b_1744468.png) > “Formed on the good old plan, A true and brave and downright honest man! He blew no trumpet in the market-place, Nor in the church with hypocritic face Supplied with cant the lack of Christian grace; Loathing pretence, he did with cheerful will What others talked of while their hands were still.” [John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A man of integrity acts honestly without seeking praise, rejecting hypocrisy and pretence. **In simple terms:** Honest people act without needing applause. Key Takeaway Value integrity over recognition. Themes integrity honesty humility Mood thoughtful serious Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - workplace leadership - community service - political activism - personal relationships Key Concepts ethics social critique Questions to Reflect On - How do you stay true when unnoticed? - What costs does honesty demand? A Different Perspective Societal pressure may tempt compromise of values. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Brave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brave/) [Brave Downright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brave-downright-1547388/) [Cant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cant/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Cheerful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cheerful/) [Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) [Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/church/) [Church Hypocritic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/church-hypocritic-1547387/) [Downright Honest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/downright-honest-1547385/) [Faces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faces/) [Formed Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/formed-good-1547386/) [Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grace/) [Grace christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grace-christian/) [Hands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hands/) [Honest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honest/) [Honest man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honest-man/) [Loathing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loathing/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Plans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plans/) [Pretence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pretence/) [Stills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stills/) [Trumpets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trumpets/) ## Related quotes > [If I had been downright honest with myself, I would have seen very plainly in my heart that I did but half fancy being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/if-i-had-been-downright-honest-with-myself-i-would-have-seen-very/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [Patience and perseverance are never more thoroughly Christian graces than when features of prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-i-prime/patience-and-perseverance-are-never-more-thoroughly-christian-graces/) [Samuel I. 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Moody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-l-moody/) > [True humility is a Christian grace and one of the fruits of the Spirit, originating in a deep consciousness of sin past and present,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mccosh/true-humility-is-a-christian-grace-and-one-of-the-fruits-of-the/) [James McCosh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mccosh/) > [It is grace at the beginning, and grace at the end. So that when you and I come to lie upon our death beds,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-grace-at-the-beginning-and-grace-at-the-end-so-that-when-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I hold that Christian grace abounds Where charity is seen; that when We climb to heaven, 'tis on the rounds Of love to men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-cary/i-hold-that-christian-grace-abounds-where-charity-is-seen-that-when/) [Alice Cary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-cary/) > [I have always hated biography, and more especially, autobiography. If biography, the writer invariably finds it necessary to plaster the subject with praises, flattery…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-wells/i-have-always-hated-biography-and-more-especially-autobiography-if/) [Carolyn Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-wells/) > [Refinement is just as much a Christian grace in a man as in a woman; but he is not such a hateful, unsexed creature…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-mary-yonge/refinement-is-just-as-much-a-christian-grace-in-a-man-as-in-a-woman/) [Charlotte Mary Yonge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-mary-yonge/) > [There cannot be a secret Christian. Grace is like ointment hid in the hand; it betrayeth itself. If you truly feel the sweetness of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-murray-m-cheyne/there-cannot-be-a-secret-christian-grace-is-like-ointment-hid-in-the/) [Robert Murray M'Cheyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-murray-m-cheyne/) > [Our own distrust gives a fair pretence for the knavery of other people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/our-own-distrust-gives-a-fair-pretence-for-the-knavery-of-other-people/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [“The closest she got to pretence was politeness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-bennett/the-closest-she-got-to-pretence-was-politeness/) [Alan Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-bennett/) ## More by John Greenleaf Whittier > [Here Greek and Roman find themselves alive along these crowded shelves; and Shakespeare treads again his stage, and Chaucer paints anew his age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/here-greek-and-roman-find-themselves-alive-along-these-crowded/) [John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/) > [the joy that you give to others is the joy that comes back to you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/the-joy-that-you-give-to-others-is-the-joy-that-comes-back-to-you/) [John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/) > [No lance have I, in joust or fight, To splinter in my lady's sight; But, at her feet, how blest were I For any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/no-lance-have-i-in-joust-or-fight-to-splinter-in-my-lady-s-sight-but/) [John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/) > [A little smile, a word of cheer, A bit of love from someone near, A little gift from one held dear, Best wishes for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/a-little-smile-a-word-of-cheer-a-bit-of-love-from-someone-near-a/) [John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/) > [On leaf of palm, on sedge-wrought roll; on plastic clay and leather scroll, man wrote his thoughts; the ages passed, and lo! the Press…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/on-leaf-of-palm-on-sedge-wrought-roll-on-plastic-clay-and-leather/) [John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/) > [What does the good ship bear so well? The cocoa-nut with its stony shell, And the milky sap of its inner cell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/what-does-the-good-ship-bear-so-well-the-cocoa-nut-with-its-stony/) [John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/) > [Love hath never known a law beyond its own sweet will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/love-hath-never-known-a-law-beyond-its-own-sweet-will/) [John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/) > [Leaning on Him, make with reverent meekness His own thy will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/leaning-on-him-make-with-reverent-meekness-his-own-thy-will/) [John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/) > [Sweeter than any sungMy songs that found no tongue;Nobler than any factMy wish that failed of act.Others shall sing the song,Others shall right the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/sweeter-than-any-sungmy-songs-that-found-no-tongue-nobler-than-any/) [John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/) > [The Present, the Present is all thou hast For thy sure possessing; Like the patriarch's angel hold it fast Till it gives its blessing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/the-present-the-present-is-all-thou-hast-for-thy-sure-possessing-like/) [John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/) > [They who wander widest lift No more of beauties' jealous veils, Than they who from their doorways see The miracle of flowers and trees.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/they-who-wander-widest-lift-no-more-of-beauties-jealous-veils-than/) [John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/) > [Once more the liberal year laughs out O'er richer stores than gems or gold: Once more with harvest song and shout Is nature's boldest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/once-more-the-liberal-year-laughs-out-o-er-richer-stores-than-gems-or/) [John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/) > [Quite the ugliest face I ever saw was that of a woman whom the world called beautiful. Through its silver veil the evil and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/quite-the-ugliest-face-i-ever-saw-was-that-of-a-woman-whom-the-world/) [John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/) > [With smoking axle hot with speed, with steeds of fire and steam, Wide-waked To-day leaves Yesterday behind him like a dream. Still, from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/with-smoking-axle-hot-with-speed-with-steeds-of-fire-and-steam-wide/) [John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/) > [If woman lost us Eden, such As she alone restore it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/if-woman-lost-us-eden-such-as-she-alone-restore-it/) [John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/) [Explore all 188 John Greenleaf Whittier quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/) ## More Brave quotes > [In the current climate, things that are true, brave human stories become political.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cate-blanchett/in-the-current-climate-things-that-are-true-brave-human-stories/) [Cate Blanchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cate-blanchett/) > [If You Love Someone, Be Brave Enough To Tell Them., Otherwise Be Brave Enough To Watch Them To Be Loved By Someone Else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bilal-zahoor/if-you-love-someone-be-brave-enough-to-tell-them-otherwise-be-brave/) [Bilal Zahoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bilal-zahoor/) > [Be convinced that to be happy means to be free and that to be free means to be brave. Therefore do not take lightly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thucydides/be-convinced-that-to-be-happy-means-to-be-free-and-that-to-be-free/) [Thucydides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thucydides/) > [It's always brave to be yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liu-yifei/it-s-always-brave-to-be-yourself/) [Liu Yifei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liu-yifei/) > [“Victory is for the fucking brave, not the timid and excuse-riddled weak.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zakk-wylde/victory-is-for-the-fucking-brave-not-the-timid-and-excuse-riddled-weak/) [Zakk Wylde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zakk-wylde/) > [I'm very proud of 'Every Girl's a Super Girl.' I want all girls to know that no matter what size, color, or shape, whatever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jojo-siwa/i-m-very-proud-of-every-girl-s-a-super-girl-i-want-all-girls-to-know/) [JoJo Siwa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jojo-siwa/) > [And I read the moral--A brave endeavour To do thy duty, whate'er its worth, Is better than life with love forever, And love is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-jeffrey-roche/and-i-read-the-moral-a-brave-endeavour-to-do-thy-duty-whate-er-its/) [James Jeffrey Roche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-jeffrey-roche/) > [I admire machinery as much is any man, and am as thankful to it as any man can be for what it does for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-admire-machinery-as-much-is-any-man-and-am-as-thankful-to-it-as-any/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [You know what really made me sick? 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But a ‘good’ father who is also a ‘brave’ father will let the children without cultivate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/a-good-father-will-tenderly-cultivate-his-children-but-a-good-father/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) > [And is it selfish of me to crave victory, or is it brave?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/and-is-it-selfish-of-me-to-crave-victory-or-is-it-brave/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [THE British are brave people. They can face anything, except reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-mikes/the-british-are-brave-people-they-can-face-anything-except-reality/) [George Mikes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-mikes/) [Browse all 3,314 Brave quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brave/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Formed on the good old plan, A true and brave and downright honest man! 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