--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A life predicated on good works always…" description: "\"“A life predicated on good works always has its dangers. The pursuit of righteousness is separated from hypocrisy and pharisaism by only a hair's width..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dab/patrick-q-mason-48808_faith_a-life-predicated-on-good-works-always-h_2922234.jpg" --- # A life predicated on good works always has its dangers… ![“A life predicated on good works always has its dangers. The pursuit of righteousness is separated from hypocrisy and pharisaism by only a hair's width. Ritual displays, checked boxes, and achieved goals, however worthy, can easily obscure "the weightier matters of the law, judgement, mercy, and…” quote by Patrick Q. Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dab/patrick-q-mason-48808_faith_a-life-predicated-on-good-works-always-h_2922234.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dab/patrick-q-mason-48808_faith_a-life-predicated-on-good-works-always-h_2922234.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dab/patrick-q-mason-48808_faith_a-life-predicated-on-good-works-always-h_2922234.jpg) > ““A life predicated on good works always has its dangers. The pursuit of righteousness is separated from hypocrisy and pharisaism by only a hair's width. Ritual displays, checked boxes, and achieved goals, however worthy, can easily obscure "the weightier matters of the law, judgement, mercy, and faith" (Matthew 23:23). Because we live in a community and often know our neighbor's foibles and perhaps even their sins, their white shirts can easily appear as "whited sepulchers" (Matthew 23:27. Patience and forgiveness thus become two of the house of faith's load-bearing walls.”” [Patrick Q. Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-q-mason/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True righteousness requires inner mercy and faith, not merely external rituals or appearances. **In simple terms:** Righteousness is about heart, not just deeds. Key Takeaway Focus on compassion over mere performance. Themes faith hypocrisy forgiveness community justice Mood reflective serious thoughtful Type theological ethical inspirational When to use this quote - church leadership - personal moral decisions - community conflict - judging others - public accountability Key Concepts ethics spiritual integrity social judgment Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance outward duties with inner compassion? - What signs indicate you are judging others superficially? A Different Perspective External rituals can mask neglect of deeper moral responsibilities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Righteousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/righteousness/) ## Related quotes > [Neither the adventure of goodness nor the pursuit of righteousness gets headlines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-h-peterson/neither-the-adventure-of-goodness-nor-the-pursuit-of-righteousness/) [Eugene H. Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-h-peterson/) > [“Only once in my lifetime , I truly believe I find someone who can turn my world around , I share dreams that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sikhwetha-maanda-stanley/only-once-in-my-lifetime-i-truly-believe-i-find-someone-who-can-turn/) [Sikhwetha maanda stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sikhwetha-maanda-stanley/) > [You can't spend 110 percent on something if you don't have that same hunger and drive. I have achieved all my goals -- my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennox-lewis/you-can-t-spend-110-percent-on-something-if-you-don-t-have-that-same/) [Lennox Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennox-lewis/) > [I would like to say I've achieved goals, but really, modeling is all luck. You're not really achieving anything. The least hardworking person with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brooklyn-decker/i-would-like-to-say-i-ve-achieved-goals-but-really-modeling-is-all/) [Brooklyn Decker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brooklyn-decker/) > [You either will have achieved the goals you set for yourself, or you will have a list of excuses for why you havent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/you-either-will-have-achieved-the-goals-you-set-for-yourself-or-you/) [Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/) > [I feel we have achieved the goals that we set out to achieve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-hope/i-feel-we-have-achieved-the-goals-that-we-set-out-to-achieve/) [J-Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-hope/) > [It wasn't success, because Teller and I, by the time Asparagus Valley got together - within a year, we had achieved all our goals.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/it-wasn-t-success-because-teller-and-i-by-the-time-asparagus-valley/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [There is not too much left for me to do, but I am sure there are a couple of great fights out there for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennox-lewis/there-is-not-too-much-left-for-me-to-do-but-i-am-sure-there-are-a/) [Lennox Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennox-lewis/) > [I have already achieved my goals with tennis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-martin-del-potro/i-have-already-achieved-my-goals-with-tennis/) [Juan Martin del Potro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-martin-del-potro/) > [“Our faith in Christ does not free us from works but from false opinions concerning works, that is, from the foolish presumption that justification…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/our-faith-in-christ-does-not-free-us-from-works-but-from-false/) [Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/) > [Two Things that measure Righteousness: The Way You Manage when You Have Nothing & Way You Behave when You Have Everything!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sultan/two-things-that-measure-righteousness-the-way-you-manage-when-you/) [Sultan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sultan/) > [Righteousness and faith certainly are instrumental in moving mountains - if moving mountains accomplishes God's purposes and is in accordance with His will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-a-bednar/righteousness-and-faith-certainly-are-instrumental-in-moving/) [David A. Bednar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-a-bednar/) > [Not simply the righteousness of our Saviour, not simply the beauty of His holiness or the graces of His character, are we to put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adoniram-judson-gordon/not-simply-the-righteousness-of-our-saviour-not-simply-the-beauty-of/) [Adoniram Judson Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adoniram-judson-gordon/) > [The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david/the-lord-is-my-shepherd-i-shall-not-want-he-maketh-me-to-lie-down-in/) [David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david/) > [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/) ## More by Patrick Q. Mason > [“Perhaps the most meaningful response to divine silence is to recognize that perhaps God values communion with us as much as he does direct…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-q-mason/perhaps-the-most-meaningful-response-to-divine-silence-is-to/) [Patrick Q. Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-q-mason/) > [“For most doubts, there are no magic words or ready-made formulas that will immediately make them go away. Doubt is thus less a problem…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-q-mason/for-most-doubts-there-are-no-magic-words-or-ready-made-formulas-that/) [Patrick Q. Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-q-mason/) > [“It is not our place to render a verdict on the state of another person's soul, and we will be far more effective (and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-q-mason/it-is-not-our-place-to-render-a-verdict-on-the-state-of-another/) [Patrick Q. Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-q-mason/) > [“Disbelievers can be good, solid people who love their spouse and children and live ethical, productive, meaningful lives. At the same time, disbelievers must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-q-mason/disbelievers-can-be-good-solid-people-who-love-their-spouse-and/) [Patrick Q. Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-q-mason/) > [“Mormonism is superb at providing not only the blueprint but also the scaffolding whereby individuals, families, and communities can construct houses of exemplary, faithful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-q-mason/mormonism-is-superb-at-providing-not-only-the-blueprint-but-also-the/) [Patrick Q. Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-q-mason/) > [“Some people's relationship to the divine is primarily mystical, for others it is experiential, and for other still it is intellectual. Spirituality is intensely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-q-mason/some-people-s-relationship-to-the-divine-is-primarily-mystical-for/) [Patrick Q. Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-q-mason/) > [“Mormonism is sui generis—that is to say, it offers its own unique set of questions and answers for the world that overlaps with but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-q-mason/mormonism-is-sui-generis-that-is-to-say-it-offers-its-own-unique-set/) [Patrick Q. Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-q-mason/) [Explore all 8 Patrick Q. Mason quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-q-mason/) ## More Faith quotes > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Eternal Trinity... mystery deep as the sea, You could give me no greater gift than the gift of Yourself. For You are a fire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-catherine-of-siena/eternal-trinity-mystery-deep-as-the-sea-you-could-give-me-no-greater/) [St. Catherine of Siena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-catherine-of-siena/) > [Keep the faith, and keep going strong!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doreen-virtue/keep-the-faith-and-keep-going-strong/) [Doreen Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doreen-virtue/) > [It’s so important to create in your own voice, to hold onto what makes you unique, and have faith in your vision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/it-s-so-important-to-create-in-your-own-voice-to-hold-onto-what-makes/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) > [Faith gives you a certain structure and meaning to your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riffat-hassan/faith-gives-you-a-certain-structure-and-meaning-to-your-life/) Riffat Hassan > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [“No man is prejudiced in favour of a thing, knowing it to be wrong. He is attached to it on the belief of its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/no-man-is-prejudiced-in-favour-of-a-thing-knowing-it-to-be-wrong-he/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) > [Holiness sincerity, and faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/holiness-sincerity-and-faith/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [“The only limitations for your life are the limiting beliefs in your mind. —Matt Morris”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-morris-1/the-only-limitations-for-your-life-are-the-limiting-beliefs-in-your/) Matt Morris (1 > [“Just because your faith is shaken doesn’t mean the faith is shaken. The eternal truths of the Kingdom aren’t altered or affected by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-arthur/just-because-your-faith-is-shaken-doesn-t-mean-the-faith-is-shaken/) [Sarah Arthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-arthur/) > [Grit, determination, the right amount of crazy, self belief - everything it takes to be a champion. I have that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-poirier/grit-determination-the-right-amount-of-crazy-self-belief-everything/) [Dustin Poirier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-poirier/) > [We only enter into the full life if our faith gives thanks. Because how else do we accept His free gift of salvation if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/we-only-enter-into-the-full-life-if-our-faith-gives-thanks-because/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [Once you pull the trigger, you've got to throw balls aggressively and with conviction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-smith/once-you-pull-the-trigger-you-ve-got-to-throw-balls-aggressively-and/) [Alex Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-smith/) [Browse all 37,796 Faith quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“A life predicated on good works always has its dangers. The pursuit of righteousness is separated from hypocrisy and pharisaism by only a hair's width. Ritual displays, checked boxes, and achieved goals, however worthy, can easily obscure \"the weightier matters of the law, judgement, mercy, and faith\" (Matthew 23:23). 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