--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Men expect that religion should cost them…" description: "\"Men expect that religion should cost them no pains, that happiness should drop into their laps without any design and endeavor on their part, and that,..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf8/john-tillotson-8040_commandments_men-expect-that-religion-should-cost-the_947342.jpg" --- # Men expect that religion should cost them no pains, that… ![“Men expect that religion should cost them no pains, that happiness should drop into their laps without any design and endeavor on their part, and that, after they have done what they please while they live, God should snatch them up to heaven when they die. But though the commandments of God be…” quote by John Tillotson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf8/john-tillotson-8040_commandments_men-expect-that-religion-should-cost-the_947342.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf8/john-tillotson-8040_commandments_men-expect-that-religion-should-cost-the_947342.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf8/john-tillotson-8040_commandments_men-expect-that-religion-should-cost-the_947342.jpg) > “Men expect that religion should cost them no pains, that happiness should drop into their laps without any design and endeavor on their part, and that, after they have done what they please while they live, God should snatch them up to heaven when they die. But though the commandments of God be not grievous, yet it is fit to let men know that they are not thus easy.” [John Tillotson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tillotson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Faith and happiness require effort; divine reward is not automatic and must be earned through perseverance. **In simple terms:** God's blessings need work, not just wishful thinking. Key Takeaway Work diligently for spiritual and personal fulfillment. Themes faith effort reward perseverance spirituality Mood thoughtful serious inspirational Type sermon philosophical motivational When to use this quote - daily work - long‑term goals - spiritual practice Key Concepts theology ethics human nature Questions to Reflect On - What effort are you willing to invest in your beliefs? - How do you balance hope with realistic effort? A Different Perspective Hard work may not guarantee divine favor; outcomes can be uncertain. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Commandments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commandments/) [Commandments God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commandments-god-340479/) [Commandments of god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commandments-of-god/) [Cost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cost/) [Design](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/design/) [Die Commandments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/die-commandments-1664132/) [Dies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dies/) [Done](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/done/) [Easy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/easy/) [Endeavor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/endeavor/) [Expect Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expect-religion-1514252/) [Fit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fit/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Heaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven/) [Inner peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inner-peace/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Lap](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lap/) [Let me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/let-me/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Men Expect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men-expect-1383656/) [No pain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/no-pain/) [Pain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pain/) [Please](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/please/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) ## Related quotes > [The Commandments of God are higher than all the treasures of the earth. Whoever has acquired them has received God within himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-of-nineveh/the-commandments-of-god-are-higher-than-all-the-treasures-of-the/) [Isaac of Nineveh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-of-nineveh/) > [Keep the commandments of God. If you have sinned, the sooner you begin to make your way back, the sooner you will find the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/keep-the-commandments-of-god-if-you-have-sinned-the-sooner-you-begin/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [Heavenly Father has made each of us unique. No two of us have exactly the same experiences. No two families are alike. ... Yet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/heavenly-father-has-made-each-of-us-unique-no-two-of-us-have-exactly/) [Henry B. Eyring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-b-eyring/) > [We need to accept that the commandments of God aren't just a long list of good ideas. They aren't 'life hacks' from an Internet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dieter-f-uchtdorf/we-need-to-accept-that-the-commandments-of-god-aren-t-just-a-long-2/) [Dieter F. Uchtdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dieter-f-uchtdorf/) > [Keeping the commandments of God is not a difficult burden when we do it out of love of him who has so graciously blessed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/delbert-l-stapley/keeping-the-commandments-of-god-is-not-a-difficult-burden-when-we-do/) [Delbert L. Stapley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/delbert-l-stapley/) > [I too believe that God will always make a way where there is no way. I believe that if we will walk in obedience…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/i-too-believe-that-god-will-always-make-a-way-where-there-is-no-way-i/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [The Lord is in control. He knows the end from the beginning. He has given us adequate instruction that, if followed, will see us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-russell-ballard/the-lord-is-in-control-he-knows-the-end-from-the-beginning-he-has/) [M. Russell Ballard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-russell-ballard/) > [The Parliament in Canada and the Congress in Washington do not have the authority to revoke the commandments of God, or to modify or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallin-h-oaks/the-parliament-in-canada-and-the-congress-in-washington-do-not-have/) [Dallin H. Oaks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallin-h-oaks/) > [If you desire the spirit of God you must keep the commandments of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heber-j-grant/if-you-desire-the-spirit-of-god-you-must-keep-the-commandments-of-god/) [Heber J. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heber-j-grant/) > [The Holy Apostle John the Theologian says that the commandments of God are not difficult, but easy (I John, 5:3). But they are only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/silouan-the-athonite/the-holy-apostle-john-the-theologian-says-that-the-commandments-of/) [Silouan the Athonite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/silouan-the-athonite/) > [Through the lens of spirituality, we see all the commandments of God as invitations to blessings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallin-h-oaks/through-the-lens-of-spirituality-we-see-all-the-commandments-of-god/) [Dallin H. Oaks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallin-h-oaks/) > [The most important message that I can give to you and to all the world is to keep the commandments of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-b-lee/the-most-important-message-that-i-can-give-to-you-and-to-all-the/) [Harold B. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-b-lee/) > [A man who has no part in the grace of God, cannot keep the commandments of God, or prepare himself, either wholly or in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/a-man-who-has-no-part-in-the-grace-of-god-cannot-keep-the/) [Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/) > [Be light-hearted, light-footed. Be of light step. Don't carry religion like a burden. And don't expect religion to be a teaching; it is not.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/be-light-hearted-light-footed-be-of-light-step-don-t-carry-religion/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [In some cities such as Washington, DC, that 75 percent of young black men can expect to serve time in prison.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-giroux/in-some-cities-such-as-washington-dc-that-75-percent-of-young-black/) [Henry Giroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-giroux/) ## More by John Tillotson > [Convulsive anger storms at large; or pale And silent, settles into full revenge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tillotson/convulsive-anger-storms-at-large-or-pale-and-silent-settles-into-full/) [John Tillotson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tillotson/) > [Religion in a magistrate strengthens his authority, because it procures veneration, and gains a reputation to it. In all the affairs of this world,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tillotson/religion-in-a-magistrate-strengthens-his-authority-because-it/) [John Tillotson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tillotson/) > [A good word is an easy obligation; but not to speak ill requires only our silence, which costs us nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tillotson/a-good-word-is-an-easy-obligation-but-not-to-speak-ill-requires-only/) [John Tillotson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tillotson/) > [When a man has once forfeited the reputation of his integrity, he is set fast, and nothing will then serve his turn, neither truth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tillotson/when-a-man-has-once-forfeited-the-reputation-of-his-integrity-he-is/) [John Tillotson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tillotson/) > [There is no readier way for a man to bring his own worth into question than by endeavoring to detract from the worth of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tillotson/there-is-no-readier-way-for-a-man-to-bring-his-own-worth-into/) [John Tillotson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tillotson/) > [Malice and hatred are very fretting and vexatious, and apt to make our minds sore and uneasy; but he that can moderate these affections…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tillotson/malice-and-hatred-are-very-fretting-and-vexatious-and-apt-to-make-our/) [John Tillotson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tillotson/) > [Surely modesty never hurt any cause; and the confidence of man seems to me to be much like the wrath of man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tillotson/surely-modesty-never-hurt-any-cause-and-the-confidence-of-man-seems/) [John Tillotson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tillotson/) > [So that we pursue the happiness of this world just as little Children chase birds, when we think we are come very near it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tillotson/so-that-we-pursue-the-happiness-of-this-world-just-as-little-children/) [John Tillotson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tillotson/) > [How often might a man, after he had jumbled a set of letters in a bag, fling them out upon the ground before they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tillotson/how-often-might-a-man-after-he-had-jumbled-a-set-of-letters-in-a-bag/) [John Tillotson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tillotson/) > [If a man were only to deal in the world for a day, and should never have occasion to converse more with mankind, never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tillotson/if-a-man-were-only-to-deal-in-the-world-for-a-day-and-should-never/) [John Tillotson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tillotson/) > [They who are in the highest places, and have the most power, have the least liberty, because they are the most observed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tillotson/they-who-are-in-the-highest-places-and-have-the-most-power-have-the/) [John Tillotson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tillotson/) > [The angriest person in a controversy is the one most liable to be in the wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tillotson/the-angriest-person-in-a-controversy-is-the-one-most-liable-to-be-in/) [John Tillotson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tillotson/) > [If God were not a necessary Being of Himself, He might almost seem to be made for the use and benefit of men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tillotson/if-god-were-not-a-necessary-being-of-himself-he-might-almost-seem-to/) [John Tillotson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tillotson/) > [“Fill each day with life and heart. There is no pleasure in the world comparable to the delight and satisfaction that a good person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tillotson/fill-each-day-with-life-and-heart-there-is-no-pleasure-in-the-world/) [John Tillotson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tillotson/) > [Whether religion be true or false, it must be necessarily granted to be the only wise principle and safe hypothesis for a man to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tillotson/whether-religion-be-true-or-false-it-must-be-necessarily-granted-to/) [John Tillotson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tillotson/) [Explore all 85 John Tillotson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tillotson/) ## More Commandments quotes > [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [May God bless each of us in our calls to serve. May our faith strengthen as we serve in righteousness, faithfully keeping the commandments.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-tom-perry/may-god-bless-each-of-us-in-our-calls-to-serve-may-our-faith/) [L. Tom Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-tom-perry/) > [The Ten Commandments don't tell you what you ought to do: They only put ideas into your head.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-bibesco/the-ten-commandments-don-t-tell-you-what-you-ought-to-do-they-only/) [Elizabeth Bibesco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-bibesco/) > [“You do not need commandments to tell you what is right and wrong, you need reason. YOU NEED TO THINK. What are the consequences…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kassandra-dick/you-do-not-need-commandments-to-tell-you-what-is-right-and-wrong-you/) [Kassandra Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kassandra-dick/) > [“Those that truly love God will make it their constant care and endeavour to keep his commandments, particularly those that relate to his worship.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-henry/those-that-truly-love-god-will-make-it-their-constant-care-and/) [Matthew Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-henry/) > [In tantra we don't believe in commandments. We believe in the moment and the truth that is applicable for that moment, as best we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/in-tantra-we-don-t-believe-in-commandments-we-believe-in-the-moment/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [In my book I specifically discussed the structural nature of injustice and offered Nine Touchstones of Goddess ethics as an alternative to the Ten…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-p-christ/in-my-book-i-specifically-discussed-the-structural-nature-of/) [Carol P. Christ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-p-christ/) > [You know what they say: if God had been a Liberal, we wouldn't have had the ten commandments. We'd have had the ten suggestions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-know-what-they-say-if-god-had-been-a-liberal-we-wouldn-t-have-had/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My plea therefore is this: Let us get our instruments tightly strung and our melodies sweetly sung. Let us not die with our music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spencer-w-kimball/my-plea-therefore-is-this-let-us-get-our-instruments-tightly-strung/) [Spencer W. Kimball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spencer-w-kimball/) > [For what will it profit men that a more prudent distribution and use of riches make it possible for them to gain even the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-pius-xi/for-what-will-it-profit-men-that-a-more-prudent-distribution-and-use/) [Pope Pius XI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-pius-xi/) > [ “the precepts of an absolutely perfect life, since they are the same in each Testament, have pointed out \[to us\] the same God, who… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-church-fathers/the-precepts-of-an-absolutely-perfect-life-since-they-are-the-same-in/) [The Church Fathers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-church-fathers/) > [Here is your government at work. A congressman from Colorado said he wants to draft a rule that would make it unethical to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/here-is-your-government-at-work-a-congressman-from-colorado-said-he/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [There are ten commandments, I've only broken three.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/courtney-love/there-are-ten-commandments-i-ve-only-broken-three/) [Courtney Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/courtney-love/) > [But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-morell/but-take-diligent-heed-to-do-the-commandment-and-the-law-which-moses/) [Thomas Morell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-morell/) > [“Take care lest you forget the LORD your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-d-fortner/take-care-lest-you-forget-the-lord-your-god-by-not-keeping-his/) [Michael D. Fortner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-d-fortner/) [Browse all 726 Commandments quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commandments/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Men expect that religion should cost them no pains, that happiness should drop into their laps without any design and endeavor on their part, and that, after they have done what they please while they live, God should snatch them up to heaven when they die. 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