--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We don't know how bad we are until we try…" description: "\"“We don't know how bad we are until we try to be good. Nothing exposes our selfishness and spiritual pwerlessness like prayer.”\" — Paul E. Miller" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62d/paul-e-miller-17022_prayer_we-don-t-know-how-bad-we-are-until-we-tr_1208518.jpg" --- # We don't know how bad we are until we try to be good… ![“We don't know how bad we are until we try to be good. Nothing exposes our selfishness and spiritual pwerlessness like prayer.” quote by Paul E. Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62d/paul-e-miller-17022_prayer_we-don-t-know-how-bad-we-are-until-we-tr_1208518.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62d/paul-e-miller-17022_prayer_we-don-t-know-how-bad-we-are-until-we-tr_1208518.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62d/paul-e-miller-17022_prayer_we-don-t-know-how-bad-we-are-until-we-tr_1208518.jpg) > ““We don't know how bad we are until we try to be good. Nothing exposes our selfishness and spiritual pwerlessness like prayer.”” [Paul E. Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-e-miller/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote suggests that attempts at goodness reveal our hidden selfishness and lack of spiritual strength, especially through prayer. **In simple terms:** Trying to be good shows our selfishness and spiritual weakness. Key Takeaway Recognize humility when seeking goodness. Themes humility spirituality self-awareness Mood reflective introspective Type philosophical spiritual When to use this quote - personal growth - religious practice - ethical decision making Key Concepts selfishness spiritual powerlessness prayer Questions to Reflect On - How does prayer reveal personal shortcomings? - Can goodness be pursued without self-judgment? A Different Perspective Prayer may not expose all flaws; cultural context matters. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Like Prayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-prayer-505450/) [Prayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prayer/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Selfishness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfishness/) [Selfishness Spiritual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfishness-spiritual-2830069/) [Spiritual Pwerlessness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual-pwerlessness-3653965/) [Try Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/try-good/) ## Related quotes > [... since birth control roots in a species of selfishness, the spiritual life of the user of contraceptives is also weakened. Women seem to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-andreas-widtsoe/since-birth-control-roots-in-a-species-of-selfishness-the-spiritual/) [John Andreas Widtsoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-andreas-widtsoe/) > [I really like worship music. 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