--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The crime of a bad example is the same…" description: "\"The crime of a bad example is the same whether men follow it or not, because he that gives bad example to others, does what in him lies to draw them in..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c5/john-tillotson-8040_bad-example_the-crime-of-a-bad-example-is-the-same-w_735204.jpg" --- # The crime of a bad example is the same whether men follow… ![“The crime of a bad example is the same whether men follow it or not, because he that gives bad example to others, does what in him lies to draw them into sin; and if they do not follow it, that is no mitigation of his fault.” quote by John Tillotson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c5/john-tillotson-8040_bad-example_the-crime-of-a-bad-example-is-the-same-w_735204.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c5/john-tillotson-8040_bad-example_the-crime-of-a-bad-example-is-the-same-w_735204.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c5/john-tillotson-8040_bad-example_the-crime-of-a-bad-example-is-the-same-w_735204.jpg) > “The crime of a bad example is the same whether men follow it or not, because he that gives bad example to others, does what in him lies to draw them into sin; and if they do not follow it, that is no mitigation of his fault.” [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. Bad examples corrupt others regardless of whether they follow them, because the giver's intent draws people toward sin. **In simple terms:** Bad examples harm others even if ignored. Key Takeaway Avoid setting poor examples. Themes morality responsibility influence Mood reflective serious Type ethical didactic When to use this quote - leadership - parenting - teaching - public speaking Key Concepts ethics sin intentionality Questions to Reflect On - How does your behavior affect those around you? - Can intent outweigh impact? A Different Perspective If the audience is unaware, the harm may be hidden. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bad example](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-example/) [Crime](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crime/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Lying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lying/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Sin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sin/) ## Related quotes > [Not worth is an example that does not solve the problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/not-worth-is-an-example-that-does-not-solve-the-problem/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Crime and bad lives are the measure of a State's failure, all crime in the end is the crime of the community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-g-wells/crime-and-bad-lives-are-the-measure-of-a-state-s-failure-all-crime-in/) [H. G. Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-g-wells/) > [There is a contagion in example which few men have sufficient force of mind to resist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/there-is-a-contagion-in-example-which-few-men-have-sufficient-force/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [Be an example to your men, in your duty and in private life. Never spare yourself, and let the troops see that you don'tin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erwin-rommel/be-an-example-to-your-men-in-your-duty-and-in-private-life-never/) [Erwin Rommel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erwin-rommel/) > [Surely there must be some way to find a husband or, for that matter, merely an escort, without sacrificing one's privacy, self-respect, and interior…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-ehrenreich/surely-there-must-be-some-way-to-find-a-husband-or-for-that-matter/) [Barbara Ehrenreich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-ehrenreich/) > [Whatever parent gives his children good instruction and sets them at the same time a bad example, may be considered as bringing them food…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-balguy/whatever-parent-gives-his-children-good-instruction-and-sets-them-at/) John Balguy > [Greenlight is a bad example of an election process. We came to the conclusion pretty quickly that we could just do away with Greenlight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabe-newell/greenlight-is-a-bad-example-of-an-election-process-we-came-to-the/) [Gabe Newell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabe-newell/) > [Nothing is more confusing than people who give good advice but set a bad example.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/nothing-is-more-confusing-than-people-who-give-good-advice-but-set-a/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [Feminism is not a fad. It's not like Angry Birds. Although it does involve a lot of angry birds. Bad example.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bridget-christie/feminism-is-not-a-fad-it-s-not-like-angry-birds-although-it-does/) [Bridget Christie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bridget-christie/) > [I like putting my money into things like food and shelter. I'm probably a bad example of an investor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-baker/i-like-putting-my-money-into-things-like-food-and-shelter-i-m/) [Simon Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-baker/) > [“Claire was just coming down the stairs, humming and thinking about how nice it was to have things getting back to normal, and how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-caine/claire-was-just-coming-down-the-stairs-humming-and-thinking-about-how/) [Rachel Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-caine/) > [When you have girlfriend, there is no room for lies, no room for anything but truth.anything other that is a bad example, I believe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paritoshik-sharma/when-you-have-girlfriend-there-is-no-room-for-lies-no-room-for/) [Paritoshik Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paritoshik-sharma/) > [The NBA's chosen ones think I'm setting a bad example? I think they need to look around and stop taking themselves so seriously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-rodman/the-nba-s-chosen-ones-think-i-m-setting-a-bad-example-i-think-they/) [Dennis Rodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-rodman/) > [“So then, according to Jesus, the ‘evils’ which we think, say and do are not due primarily to our environment, nor are they bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-r-w-stott/so-then-according-to-jesus-the-evils-which-we-think-say-and-do-are/) [John R.W. Stott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-r-w-stott/) > [Recipients of transfers set a bad example for others, including their children, other relatives, and friends, who see that one can receive goods, services,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-higgs/recipients-of-transfers-set-a-bad-example-for-others-including-their/) [Robert Higgs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-higgs/) ## 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 Bad example quotes > [Recipients of transfers set a bad example for others, including their children, other relatives, and friends, who see that one can receive goods, services,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-higgs/recipients-of-transfers-set-a-bad-example-for-others-including-their/) [Robert Higgs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-higgs/) > [“So then, according to Jesus, the ‘evils’ which we think, say and do are not due primarily to our environment, nor are they bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-r-w-stott/so-then-according-to-jesus-the-evils-which-we-think-say-and-do-are/) [John R.W. Stott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-r-w-stott/) > [The NBA's chosen ones think I'm setting a bad example? I think they need to look around and stop taking themselves so seriously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-rodman/the-nba-s-chosen-ones-think-i-m-setting-a-bad-example-i-think-they/) [Dennis Rodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-rodman/) > [When you have girlfriend, there is no room for lies, no room for anything but truth.anything other that is a bad example, I believe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paritoshik-sharma/when-you-have-girlfriend-there-is-no-room-for-lies-no-room-for/) [Paritoshik Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paritoshik-sharma/) > [“Claire was just coming down the stairs, humming and thinking about how nice it was to have things getting back to normal, and how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-caine/claire-was-just-coming-down-the-stairs-humming-and-thinking-about-how/) [Rachel Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-caine/) > [I like putting my money into things like food and shelter. I'm probably a bad example of an investor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-baker/i-like-putting-my-money-into-things-like-food-and-shelter-i-m/) [Simon Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-baker/) > [Feminism is not a fad. It's not like Angry Birds. Although it does involve a lot of angry birds. Bad example.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bridget-christie/feminism-is-not-a-fad-it-s-not-like-angry-birds-although-it-does/) [Bridget Christie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bridget-christie/) > [Nothing is more confusing than people who give good advice but set a bad example.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/nothing-is-more-confusing-than-people-who-give-good-advice-but-set-a/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [Greenlight is a bad example of an election process. We came to the conclusion pretty quickly that we could just do away with Greenlight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabe-newell/greenlight-is-a-bad-example-of-an-election-process-we-came-to-the/) [Gabe Newell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabe-newell/) > [Whatever parent gives his children good instruction and sets them at the same time a bad example, may be considered as bringing them food…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-balguy/whatever-parent-gives-his-children-good-instruction-and-sets-them-at/) John Balguy > [“BARBIE GOES TO WAR There are more than a billion Barbies. Only the Chinese outnumber them. The most beloved woman on the planet would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eduardo-galeano/barbie-goes-to-war-there-are-more-than-a-billion-barbies-only-the/) [Eduardo Galeano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eduardo-galeano/) > [Who said I was wise? I’m a professional bad example. You can learn a lot by watching me. Or listening to me. Either one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jubal/who-said-i-was-wise-i-m-a-professional-bad-example-you-can-learn-a/) Jubal > [I know I'm bad atleast I can be used as BAD EXAMPLE!!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-know-i-m-bad-atleast-i-can-be-used-as-bad-example/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“But as a Christian, let me say Merry Christmas on a national holiday called Christmas and you’d think Satan incarnate himself just showed up.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-hutcherson/but-as-a-christian-let-me-say-merry-christmas-on-a-national-holiday/) [Ken Hutcherson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-hutcherson/) > [The truth is very few of us are related to Napoleon or Cleopatra. Although, those are bad examples as I am actually descended from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-piddock/the-truth-is-very-few-of-us-are-related-to-napoleon-or-cleopatra/) [Jim Piddock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-piddock/) [Browse all 86 Bad example quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-example/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The crime of a bad example is the same whether men follow it or not, because he that gives bad example to others, does what in him lies to draw them into sin; and if they do not follow it, that is no mitigation of his fault.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Tillotson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tillotson/the-crime-of-a-bad-example-is-the-same-whether-men-follow-it-or-not/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Bad example" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tillotson/the-crime-of-a-bad-example-is-the-same-whether-men-follow-it-or-not/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c5/john-tillotson-8040_bad-example_the-crime-of-a-bad-example-is-the-same-w_735204.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c5/john-tillotson-8040_bad-example_the-crime-of-a-bad-example-is-the-same-w_735204.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c5/john-tillotson-8040_bad-example_the-crime-of-a-bad-example-is-the-same-w_735204.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The crime of a bad example is the same whether men follow it or not, because he that gives bad example to…” — John Tillotson", "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 Tillotson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tillotson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The crime of a bad example...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tillotson/the-crime-of-a-bad-example-is-the-same-whether-men-follow-it-or-not/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tillotson/the-crime-of-a-bad-example-is-the-same-whether-men-follow-it-or-not/#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 } } ] } ```