--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Preachers say, \"Do as I say, not as I…" description: "\"Preachers say, \"Do as I say, not as I do.\" But if a physician had the same disease upon him that I have, and he should bid me do one thing and he do qu..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ceb/john-selden-7457_believe_preachers-say-do-as-i-say-not-as-i-do-bu_570547.jpg" --- # Preachers say, "Do as I say, not as I do." But if a… ![“Preachers say, "Do as I say, not as I do." But if a physician had the same disease upon him that I have, and he should bid me do one thing and he do quite another, could I believe him?” quote by John Selden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ceb/john-selden-7457_believe_preachers-say-do-as-i-say-not-as-i-do-bu_570547.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ceb/john-selden-7457_believe_preachers-say-do-as-i-say-not-as-i-do-bu_570547.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ceb/john-selden-7457_believe_preachers-say-do-as-i-say-not-as-i-do-bu_570547.jpg) > “Preachers say, "Do as I say, not as I do." But if a physician had the same disease upon him that I have, and he should bid me do one thing and he do quite another, could I believe him?” [John Selden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-selden/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He questions the credibility of advice when the advisor fails to follow it, especially in health matters. **In simple terms:** Advice loses credibility if not practiced by the giver. Key Takeaway Seek consistency between words and actions. Themes hypocrisy trust authority Mood skeptical critical Type philosophical questioning When to use this quote - medical advice - leadership - personal relationships Key Concepts ethical consistency professional integrity Questions to Reflect On - Can you trust a doctor who doesn't follow his own recommendations? - When is it acceptable to separate advice from the advisor's behavior? A Different Perspective People may still follow advice despite hypocrisy if outcomes are beneficial. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Disease](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disease/) [Physician](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/physician/) [Physicians](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/physicians/) [Preacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preacher/) [Preachers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preachers/) ## Related quotes > [“Preachers say: do as I say, not what I do”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-selden/preachers-say-do-as-i-say-not-what-i-do/) [John Selden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-selden/) > [A good many preachers say I am lowering the pulpit. I am glad I am. I am trying to get it down to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-l-moody/a-good-many-preachers-say-i-am-lowering-the-pulpit-i-am-glad-i-am-i/) [Dwight L. Moody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-l-moody/) > [I get irritated when I hear preachers say, "Come to Jesus and all your problems will be over." That's just simply a lie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/i-get-irritated-when-i-hear-preachers-say-come-to-jesus-and-all-your/) [R. C. 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