---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: He who offers God a second place offers…"
description: "\"He who offers God a second place offers Him no place.\" — John Ruskin"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d48/john-ruskin-314_god_he-who-offers-god-a-second-place-offers_1947150.jpg"
---

#  He who offers God a second place offers Him no place.

![“He who offers God a second place offers Him no place.” quote by John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d48/john-ruskin-314_god_he-who-offers-god-a-second-place-offers_1947150.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d48/john-ruskin-314_god_he-who-offers-god-a-second-place-offers_1947150.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d48/john-ruskin-314_god_he-who-offers-god-a-second-place-offers_1947150.jpg)

> “He who offers God a second place offers Him no place.”

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

## About This Quote

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

Placing God second diminishes His significance and removes true reverence.

**In simple terms:** Putting God first shows true respect.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize God above all.

Themes

faith humility spirituality

Mood

contemplative serious

Type

biblical philosophical

When to use this quote

- personal worship
- religious practice
- ethical decisions
- public policy

Key Concepts

theology idolatry

Questions to Reflect On

- How does ranking priorities affect spirituality?
- What does 'second place' imply about devotion?

A Different Perspective

Neglecting God may lead to moral relativism.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god/) [Idolatry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idolatry/) [Second place](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/second-place/)

## Related quotes

> [God will put up with a great many things in the human heart, but there is one thing that He will not put up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/god-will-put-up-with-a-great-many-things-in-the-human-heart-but-there/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

> [Jesus offers himself as God's doorway into the life that is truly life. Confidence in him leads us today, as in other times, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/jesus-offers-himself-as-god-s-doorway-into-the-life-that-is-truly-2/)

[Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/)

> [In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus offers more than God's personal email or private cell number - He offers us a heart transplant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-hart/in-the-lord-s-prayer-jesus-offers-more-than-god-s-personal-email-or/)

[Mark Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-hart/)

> [Man offers himself to God. He stands before Him like the canvas before the painter or the marble before the sculptor. At the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-carrel/man-offers-himself-to-god-he-stands-before-him-like-the-canvas-before/)

[Alexis Carrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-carrel/)

> [The two chief things are faith and love. Faith receives the good; love gives the good. Faith offers us God as our own; love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/the-two-chief-things-are-faith-and-love-faith-receives-the-good-love/)

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

> [Second place is just the first place loser.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-earnhardt/second-place-is-just-the-first-place-loser/)

[Dale Earnhardt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-earnhardt/)

> [There is no such thing as second place. Either you're first or you're nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabe-paul/there-is-no-such-thing-as-second-place-either-you-re-first-or-you-re/)

[Gabe Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabe-paul/)

> [In my career, I finished in second place six times. I played on teams that were in it to the very end. It's frustrating.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-martinez/in-my-career-i-finished-in-second-place-six-times-i-played-on-teams/)

[Dave Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-martinez/)

> [Second place is the first loser.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-anderson/second-place-is-the-first-loser/)

Dennis Anderson

> [There is no prize in sales for second place. It's win or nothing. The masters know this and strive for - they fight for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-gitomer/there-is-no-prize-in-sales-for-second-place-it-s-win-or-nothing-the/)

[Jeffrey Gitomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-gitomer/)

> [ “IN THIS LITTLE THING \[LIKE a hazelnut\] I saw three properties. The first is that God made it, the second is that he loves… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-e-dahill/in-this-little-thing-like-a-hazelnut-i-saw-three-properties-the-first/)

[Lisa E. Dahill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-e-dahill/)

> [Woman was God's second mistake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/woman-was-god-s-second-mistake/)

[Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/)

> [I believe in a God of a second chance and a God of love and mercy, because I need so much more of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-eric-dyson/i-believe-in-a-god-of-a-second-chance-and-a-god-of-love-and-mercy/)

[Michael Eric Dyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-eric-dyson/)

> [“Thank you, God, for second chances,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-karon/thank-you-god-for-second-chances/)

[Jan Karon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-karon/)

> [“It does not take God one second to re-write your ugly past .”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/osunsakin-adewale/it-does-not-take-god-one-second-to-re-write-your-ugly-past/)

[Osunsakin Adewale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/osunsakin-adewale/)

## More by John Ruskin

> [“Occult Theft,--Theft which hides itself even from itself, and is legal, respectable, and cowardly,--corrupts the body and soul of man, to the last fibre…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/occult-theft-theft-which-hides-itself-even-from-itself-and-is-legal/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

> [Mighty of heart, mighty of mind, magnanimous-to be this is indeed to be great in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/mighty-of-heart-mighty-of-mind-magnanimous-to-be-this-is-indeed-to-be/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

> [Life is a magic vase filled to the brim, so made that you cannot dip from it nor draw from it; but it overflows…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/life-is-a-magic-vase-filled-to-the-brim-so-made-that-you-cannot-dip/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

> [As in the instances of alchemy, astrology, witchcraft, and other such popular creeds, political economy, has a plausible idea at the root of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/as-in-the-instances-of-alchemy-astrology-witchcraft-and-other-such/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

> [I am far more provoked at being thought foolish by foolish people, than pleased at being thought sensible by sensible people; and the average…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/i-am-far-more-provoked-at-being-thought-foolish-by-foolish-people/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

> [When we build ... let it not be for present delights nor for present use alone. Let it be such work as our descendants…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/when-we-build-let-it-not-be-for-present-delights-nor-for-present-use/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

> [It is far more difficult to be simple than to be complicated; far more difficult to sacrifice skill and easy execution in the proper…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/it-is-far-more-difficult-to-be-simple-than-to-be-complicated-far-more/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

> [It is a good and safe rule to sojourn in every place as if you meant to spend your life there, never omitting an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/it-is-a-good-and-safe-rule-to-sojourn-in-every-place-as-if-you-meant/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

> [“You may trust to the truth of my sympathy; but you must remember that I am engaged in the investigation of enormous religious and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/you-may-trust-to-the-truth-of-my-sympathy-but-you-must-remember-that/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

> [And remember, child, that nothing is ever done beautifully, which is done in rivalship; or nobly, which is done in pride.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/and-remember-child-that-nothing-is-ever-done-beautifully-which-is/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

> [It’s unwise to pay too much, but it’s worse to pay too little.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/it-s-unwise-to-pay-too-much-but-it-s-worse-to-pay-too-little/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

> [The world is full of vulgar Purists, who bring discredit on all selection by the silliness of their choice; and this the more, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/the-world-is-full-of-vulgar-purists-who-bring-discredit-on-all/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

> [Like other beautiful things in this world, its end (that of a shaft) is to be beautiful; and, in proportion to its beauty, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/like-other-beautiful-things-in-this-world-its-end-that-of-a-shaft-is/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

> [All are to be men of genius in their degree,--rivulets or rivers, it does not matter, so that the souls be clear and pure;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/all-are-to-be-men-of-genius-in-their-degree-rivulets-or-rivers-it/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

> [The art of drawing which is of more real importance to the human race than that of writing...should be taught to every child just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/the-art-of-drawing-which-is-of-more-real-importance-to-the-human-race/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

[Explore all 696 John Ruskin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

## More God quotes

> [I don't drink much anymore, but when I traveled with Frank Sinatra, God rest his soul, I used to drink like I could do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/i-don-t-drink-much-anymore-but-when-i-traveled-with-frank-sinatra-god/)

[Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/)

> [“God hates Hell. He hates the idea of people going there. He hates it so much that He was willing to take on human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-minton/god-hates-hell-he-hates-the-idea-of-people-going-there-he-hates-it-so/)

[Evan Minton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-minton/)

> [“am not suggesting that successes in academics, athletics, or vocation somehow stand outside God’s good plan. Learning and play are joys that God himself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-paul-jones/am-not-suggesting-that-successes-in-academics-athletics-or-vocation/)

[Timothy Paul Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-paul-jones/)

> [I pray that wherever we are and whatever duties we have in the priesthood of God, we will be united in the cause to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/i-pray-that-wherever-we-are-and-whatever-duties-we-have-in-the/)

[Henry B. Eyring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-b-eyring/)

> [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/)

> [God's love never fail :)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/god-s-love-never-fail/)

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

> [Here's the reality. The image of a white Jesus has been used to justify enslavement, conquest, colonialism, the genocide of indigenous peoples. There are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-wise/here-s-the-reality-the-image-of-a-white-jesus-has-been-used-to/)

[Tim Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-wise/)

> [The faster you go, the shorter you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-faster-you-go-the-shorter-you-are/)

[Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/)

> [A lot of people have been saying 'The 100' reminds them of 'Lord Of The Flies,' 'Lost' and 'Battlestar Galactica,' and all of those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-avgeropoulos/a-lot-of-people-have-been-saying-the-100-reminds-them-of-lord-of-the/)

[Marie Avgeropoulos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-avgeropoulos/)

> [As we are coming to the end of the year, I want you to forget about the past, the failure, the negative thoughts or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-we-are-coming-to-the-end-of-the-year-i-want-you-to-forget-about/)

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

> [I wonder: when a Jehovah's Witness dies and goes to Heaven, does God hide behind the door and pretend He's not home?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-celio/i-wonder-when-a-jehovah-s-witness-dies-and-goes-to-heaven-does-god/)

[Brian Celio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-celio/)

> [What would God have me do with my life?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/what-would-god-have-me-do-with-my-life/)

[Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/)

> [God always gets the glory when Jesus comes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louie-giglio/god-always-gets-the-glory-when-jesus-comes/)

[Louie Giglio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louie-giglio/)

> [“Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/do-all-the-good-you-can-by-all-the-means-you-can-in-all-the-ways-you/)

[Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/)

> [You are a God Act like one!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-leary/you-are-a-god-act-like-one/)

[Timothy Leary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-leary/)

[Browse all 37,707 God quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "He who offers God a second place offers Him no place.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "John Ruskin"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/he-who-offers-god-a-second-place-offers-him-no-place/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "God"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/he-who-offers-god-a-second-place-offers-him-no-place/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d48/john-ruskin-314_god_he-who-offers-god-a-second-place-offers_1947150.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d48/john-ruskin-314_god_he-who-offers-god-a-second-place-offers_1947150.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d48/john-ruskin-314_god_he-who-offers-god-a-second-place-offers_1947150.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“He who offers God a second place offers Him no place.” — John Ruskin",
                "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": "John Ruskin",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "He who offers God a second...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/he-who-offers-god-a-second-place-offers-him-no-place/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/he-who-offers-god-a-second-place-offers-him-no-place/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
