Church Quote by Robert Louis Stevenson
“Respectability is a very good thing in its way, but it does not rise superior to all considerations. I would not for a moment venture to hint that it was a matter of taste; but I think I will go as far as this: that if a position is admittedly unkind, uncomfortable, unnecessary, and superfluously useless, although it were as respectableasthe Church of England, the sooner a man is out of it, the better for himself, and all concerned.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Unknown source, possibly a personal essay or letter
Respectability is valuable but should not outweigh practicality; useless or harmful traditions should be abandoned for the greater good.
In simple terms: Respectability isn’t everything; drop useless traditions.
Key Takeaway
Question tradition when it harms.
Themes
ethics
tradition
pragmatism
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
aphilosophical
advisory
When to use this quote
- personal decisions
- organizational policy
- cultural reform
Key Concepts
critical thinking
social norms
individual welfare
Questions to Reflect On
- When should you challenge a respected norm?
- How to balance respect and practicality?
A Different Perspective
Changing deeply held traditions can face strong resistance.
![“T]he church is not a place. It's not a building. It's not a preaching point. It's not a spiritual service provider. It's a people - the new covenant, blood-bought people of God. That's why Paul said, 'Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her' (Eph. 5:25). He didn't give himself up for a…” quote by Mark Dever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7a4/mark-dever-3175_blood_t-he-church-is-not-a-place-it-s-not-a-bu_3297.jpg)
