--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Waste of time,\" said the leper. \"There's…" description: "\"“Waste of time,\" said the leper. \"There's a dozen or more beggars who come here every day, pretending to be cripples, hiring themselves out to the holy..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/379/philip-pullman-525_beggars_waste-of-time-said-the-leper-there-s-a-d_1529866.png" --- # Waste of time," said the leper. "There's a dozen or more… ![“Waste of time," said the leper. "There's a dozen or more beggars who come here every day, pretending to be cripples, hiring themselves out to the holy men. A couple of drachmas and they'll swear they've been crippled or blind for years then stage a bloody miraculous recovery. Holy men? Healers?…” quote by Philip Pullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/379/philip-pullman-525_beggars_waste-of-time-said-the-leper-there-s-a-d_1529866.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/379/philip-pullman-525_beggars_waste-of-time-said-the-leper-there-s-a-d_1529866.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/379/philip-pullman-525_beggars_waste-of-time-said-the-leper-there-s-a-d_1529866.png) > ““Waste of time," said the leper. "There's a dozen or more beggars who come here every day, pretending to be cripples, hiring themselves out to the holy men. A couple of drachmas and they'll swear they've been crippled or blind for years then stage a bloody miraculous recovery. Holy men? Healers? Don't make me laugh." "But this man is different," said Christ. "I remember him," said the blind man. "Jesus. He come here on the sabbath, like a fool. The priests wouldn't let him heal anyone on sabbath. He should've known that." "But he did heal someone," said the lame man. "Old Hiram. You remember that. He told him to take up his bed and walk." "Bloody rubbish," said the blind man. "Hiram went as far as the temple gate, then he lay down and went on begging. Old Sarah told me. He said what was the use of taking his living away? Begging was the only thing he knew how to do. You and your blether about goodness," he said, turning to Christ, "where's the goodness in throwing an old man out into the street without a trade, without a home, without a penny? Eh? That Jesus is asking too much of people." "But he was good," said the lame man. "I don't care what you say. You could feel it, you could see it in his eyes." "I never saw it," said the blind man.”” [Philip Pullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-pullman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A dialogue critiques false piety and questions the moral duty toward the vulnerable, highlighting hypocrisy in religious charity. **In simple terms:** Questioning religious hypocrisy and care for the needy. Key Takeaway Consider true compassion over ritual. Themes hypocrisy compassion poverty faith justice Mood skeptical critical thoughtful Type philosophical dialogue When to use this quote - charitable institutions - street beggars - community support - personal responsibility Key Concepts moral philosophy social critique religious ethics Questions to Reflect On - What defines genuine compassion? - How can societies balance ritual and real aid? 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A couple of drachmas and they'll swear they've been crippled or blind for years then stage a bloody miraculous recovery. Holy men? Healers? Don't make me laugh.\" \"But this man is different,\" said Christ. \"I remember him,\" said the blind man. \"Jesus. He come here on the sabbath, like a fool. The priests wouldn't let him heal anyone on sabbath. He should've known that.\" \"But he did heal someone,\" said the lame man. \"Old Hiram. You remember that. He told him to take up his bed and walk.\" \"Bloody rubbish,\" said the blind man. \"Hiram went as far as the temple gate, then he lay down and went on begging. Old Sarah told me. He said what was the use of taking his living away? Begging was the only thing he knew how to do. You and your blether about goodness,\" he said, turning to Christ, \"where's the goodness in throwing an old man out into the street without a trade, without a home, without a penny? Eh? 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