--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is one thing to act like a servant; it…" description: "\"“It is one thing to act like a servant; it is quite another to be a servant.”\" — Richard J. Foster" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0c/richard-j-foster-1460_servant_it-is-one-thing-to-act-like-a-servant-it_127176.png" --- # It is one thing to act like a servant; it is quite another… ![“It is one thing to act like a servant; it is quite another to be a servant.” quote by Richard J. Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0c/richard-j-foster-1460_servant_it-is-one-thing-to-act-like-a-servant-it_127176.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0c/richard-j-foster-1460_servant_it-is-one-thing-to-act-like-a-servant-it_127176.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0c/richard-j-foster-1460_servant_it-is-one-thing-to-act-like-a-servant-it_127176.png) > ““It is one thing to act like a servant; it is quite another to be a servant.”” [Richard J. Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-j-foster/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Being a servant is about genuine humility, not merely performing servile actions. **In simple terms:** True service is humility, not role. Key Takeaway Embrace humility in service. Themes service humility integrity Mood thoughtful inspirational Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - caregiving - customer service - volunteering Key Concepts ethical leadership Practical Applications - practice humility daily - lead by example Questions to Reflect On - What does true service mean to you? - How can you embody humility? A Different Perspective Actions alone may appear servile. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Servant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/servant/) ## Related quotes > [“Be like a servant waiting for the return of the master,” says Jesus. The servant does not know at what hour the master is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/be-like-a-servant-waiting-for-the-return-of-the-master-says-jesus-the-2/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [As a politician, I felt like a servant, but in the film industry, I feel like a queen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rakhi-sawant/as-a-politician-i-felt-like-a-servant-but-in-the-film-industry-i-feel/) [Rakhi Sawant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rakhi-sawant/) > [“If any of you want to be the greatest, then you must become the least, and become like a servant to all people.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hidenori-kumai/if-any-of-you-want-to-be-the-greatest-then-you-must-become-the-least/) Hidenori Kumai > [“She crossed her arms and frowned. “He doesn’t care about her. That’s what I think. Nobody cared about that girl. She was exploited. I’ll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mar-preston/she-crossed-her-arms-and-frowned-he-doesn-t-care-about-her-that-s/) [Mar Preston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mar-preston/) > [“Be like a servant waiting for the return of the master,” says Jesus. The servant does not know at what hour the master is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/be-like-a-servant-waiting-for-the-return-of-the-master-says-jesus-the/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [I have an issue with dogs - I can't pick up after them. It's nothing personal; it just makes me feel like a servant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ned-vizzini/i-have-an-issue-with-dogs-i-can-t-pick-up-after-them-it-s-nothing/) [Ned Vizzini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-vizzini/) > [A leader must have a servant's heart. And if he has a servant's heart, he will act like a servant and react like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-mack/a-leader-must-have-a-servant-s-heart-and-if-he-has-a-servant-s-heart/) [Wayne Mack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-mack/) > [“Can you imagine being royalty but being treated like a servant? Can you imagine being the daughter of the true king but being held…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stasi-eldredge/can-you-imagine-being-royalty-but-being-treated-like-a-servant-can/) [Stasi Eldredge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stasi-eldredge/) > [That's the reason why it's so hot. Cool her off and act like it's not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tami-chynn/that-s-the-reason-why-it-s-so-hot-cool-her-off-and-act-like-it-s-not/) [Tami Chynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tami-chynn/) > [Why do people want everyone to act just like they do? Talk like they do. Look like they do. Act like they do. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-raleigh-baskin/why-do-people-want-everyone-to-act-just-like-they-do-talk-like-they/) [Nora Raleigh Baskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-raleigh-baskin/) > [I cant do this anymore. Pretend that everythings great. Act like theres nothing to hate. Wipe away every tear. Run away from my fears.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-cant-do-this-anymore-pretend-that-everythings-great-act-like-theres/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When I read, I don't need a character to look like me, act like me, or think like me. I don't need to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/becky-albertalli/when-i-read-i-don-t-need-a-character-to-look-like-me-act-like-me-or/) [Becky Albertalli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/becky-albertalli/) > [My wife likes to say I act like a kid, so maybe that's why I sing like one!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-anthony/my-wife-likes-to-say-i-act-like-a-kid-so-maybe-that-s-why-i-sing-like/) [Michael Anthony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-anthony/) > [“Why would you do that? Why would you act like you didn't know how to drive?" "Isn't it obvious, Sage? No, of course it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/why-would-you-do-that-why-would-you-act-like-you-didn-t-know-how-to/) [Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/) > [You are a God Act like one!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-leary/you-are-a-god-act-like-one/) [Timothy Leary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-leary/) ## More by Richard J. Foster > [Prayer is - listening for the still small voice of God. Listening with the "ear of our hearts."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-j-foster/prayer-is-listening-for-the-still-small-voice-of-god-listening-with/) [Richard J. Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-j-foster/) > [Over-consumption is a cancer eating away at our spiritual vitals. It distances us from the great masses of broken bleeding humanity. It converts us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-j-foster/over-consumption-is-a-cancer-eating-away-at-our-spiritual-vitals-it/) [Richard J. Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-j-foster/) > [“To believe that God can reach us and bless us in the ordinary junctures of daily life is the stuff of prayer.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-j-foster/to-believe-that-god-can-reach-us-and-bless-us-in-the-ordinary/) [Richard J. Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-j-foster/) > [Prayer is simply saying "thank you, bless you, praise you."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-j-foster/prayer-is-simply-saying-thank-you-bless-you-praise-you/) [Richard J. Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-j-foster/) > [There is an old proverb to the effect that 'all those who open their mouths, close their eyes!' The purpose of silence and solitude…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-j-foster/there-is-an-old-proverb-to-the-effect-that-all-those-who-open-their/) [Richard J. Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-j-foster/) > [It is an occupational hazard of devout folk to become stuffy bores. This should not be. Of all people, we should be the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-j-foster/it-is-an-occupational-hazard-of-devout-folk-to-become-stuffy-bores/) [Richard J. Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-j-foster/) > [“Lord God, you deserve my best. Forgive me for the times I have offered you only the dregs, whether it be half-heartedly muttered prayers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-j-foster/lord-god-you-deserve-my-best-forgive-me-for-the-times-i-have-offered/) [Richard J. Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-j-foster/) > [Superficiality is the curse of our age. The doctrine of instant satisfaction is a primary spiritual problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-j-foster/superficiality-is-the-curse-of-our-age-the-doctrine-of-instant/) [Richard J. Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-j-foster/) > [If worship does not change us it has not been worship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-j-foster/if-worship-does-not-change-us-it-has-not-been-worship/) [Richard J. Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-j-foster/) > [“I want to mention one other reason why we shy away from commitment. It is, very simply, the fear that we will not be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-j-foster/i-want-to-mention-one-other-reason-why-we-shy-away-from-commitment-it/) [Richard J. Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-j-foster/) > [“we hold on so tightly to the good that we do know that we cannot receive the greater good that we do not know.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-j-foster/we-hold-on-so-tightly-to-the-good-that-we-do-know-that-we-cannot/) [Richard J. Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-j-foster/) > [“Once we have made generous latitude for individual differences and schedules, we must firmly discipline ourselves to a regular pattern of prayer. We cannot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-j-foster/once-we-have-made-generous-latitude-for-individual-differences-and/) [Richard J. Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-j-foster/) > [Freedom in the Gospel does not mean license. It means opportunity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-j-foster/freedom-in-the-gospel-does-not-mean-license-it-means-opportunity/) [Richard J. Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-j-foster/) > [“The tongue is our most powerful weapon of manipulation. A frantic stream of words flows from us because we are in a constant process…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-j-foster/the-tongue-is-our-most-powerful-weapon-of-manipulation-a-frantic/) [Richard J. Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-j-foster/) > [Prayer is - a means of uniting us unto Himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-j-foster/prayer-is-a-means-of-uniting-us-unto-himself/) [Richard J. Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-j-foster/) [Explore all 239 Richard J. Foster quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-j-foster/) ## More Servant quotes > [“Serve in the grace of strength within thy soul.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/serve-in-the-grace-of-strength-within-thy-soul/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [In relations between the rich and the strong, between the rich and the poor, between the master and the servant, it's liberty that grinds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-relations-between-the-rich-and-the-strong-between-the-rich-and-the/) [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/) > [Laws are not masters but servants, and he rules them who obey them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/laws-are-not-masters-but-servants-and-he-rules-them-who-obey-them/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [If you are the master be sometimes blind, if you are the servant be sometimes deaf.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-buckminster-fuller/if-you-are-the-master-be-sometimes-blind-if-you-are-the-servant-be/) [R. Buckminster Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-buckminster-fuller/) > [No lusting after your neighbor's house - or wife or servant or maid or ox or donkey. Don't set your heart on anything that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moses/no-lusting-after-your-neighbor-s-house-or-wife-or-servant-or-maid-or/) [Moses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moses/) > [Great God of the Ants, thou hast granted victory to thy servants. I appoint thee honorary Colonel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karel-capek/great-god-of-the-ants-thou-hast-granted-victory-to-thy-servants-i/) [Karel Capek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karel-capek/) > [Why is it that at a bachelor's establishment the servants invariably drink the champagne.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/why-is-it-that-at-a-bachelor-s-establishment-the-servants-invariably/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [In politics we face the choice between warmongering, nation-state loving, big-business agents on one hand; and risk-blind, top-down, epistemic arrogant big servants of large…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nassim-nicholas-taleb/in-politics-we-face-the-choice-between-warmongering-nation-state/) [Nassim Nicholas Taleb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nassim-nicholas-taleb/) > [The extraordinary woman depends on the ordinary woman. It is only when we know what were the conditions of the average woman's life -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-woolf/the-extraordinary-woman-depends-on-the-ordinary-woman-it-is-only-when/) [Virginia Woolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-woolf/) > [Man becomes not the lord and master of all creation but he is its servant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/man-becomes-not-the-lord-and-master-of-all-creation-but-he-is-its/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Do not value money for any more nor any less than its worth; it is a good servant but a bad master.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-alexandre-dumas/do-not-value-money-for-any-more-nor-any-less-than-its-worth-it-is-a/) Thomas-Alexandre Dumas > [“Miss Fields," said a servant, stepping into the room and closing the door, "There is a visitor for you. Are you in?" Clare blinked.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-starbuck/miss-fields-said-a-servant-stepping-into-the-room-and-closing-the/) [Sam Starbuck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-starbuck/) > [“king of Heshbon. 6 b Moses, the servant of the”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/king-of-heshbon-6-b-moses-the-servant-of-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Socialism would gather all power to the supreme party and party leaders, rising like stately pinnacles above their vast bureaucracies of civil servants no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/socialism-would-gather-all-power-to-the-supreme-party-and-party/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) [Browse all 1,519 Servant quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/servant/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“It is one thing to act like a servant; it is quite another to be a servant.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Richard J. 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