---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: And He watched over me before I knew Him…"
description: "\"“And He watched over me before I knew Him and before I learned sense or even distinguished between good and evil.”\" — Saint Patrick"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28a/saint-patrick-13575_christianity_and-he-watched-over-me-before-i-knew-him_2747274.png"
---

#  And He watched over me before I knew Him and before I…

![“And He watched over me before I knew Him and before I learned sense or even distinguished between good and evil.” quote by Saint Patrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28a/saint-patrick-13575_christianity_and-he-watched-over-me-before-i-knew-him_2747274.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28a/saint-patrick-13575_christianity_and-he-watched-over-me-before-i-knew-him_2747274.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28a/saint-patrick-13575_christianity_and-he-watched-over-me-before-i-knew-him_2747274.png)

> ““And He watched over me before I knew Him and before I learned sense or even distinguished between good and evil.””

[Saint Patrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-patrick/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Divine protection precedes personal understanding and moral discernment.

**In simple terms:** God watches before we know or judge.

Key Takeaway

Trust in higher guidance before forming judgments.

Themes

faith trust morality

Mood

reverent hopeful

Type

spiritual devotional

When to use this quote

- prayer
- ethical decision making
- personal growth

Key Concepts

theology spirituality

Questions to Reflect On

- How does faith influence your moral choices?
- Do you feel guided before you understand?

A Different Perspective

Assumes a personal deity and may not align with secular views.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) [Good and evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-and-evil/) [Knew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knew/) [Knew Learned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knew-learned-471657/) [Learned Sense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learned-sense-3072156/) [Watched](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/watched/) [Watched Knew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/watched-knew-1152295/)

## Related quotes

> [ He \[God\] watched over me before I knew him, and before I learned sense or even distinguished between good and evil, and he protected… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-patrick/he-god-watched-over-me-before-i-knew-him-and-before-i-learned-sense/)

[Saint Patrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-patrick/)

> [I've learned to have a sense of humor about myself. Lord knows everyone else does!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debbie-gibson/i-ve-learned-to-have-a-sense-of-humor-about-myself-lord-knows/)

[Debbie Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debbie-gibson/)

> [I was learning, as I did in the Ministry of Defense. I never knew, but I always learned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shimon-peres/i-was-learning-as-i-did-in-the-ministry-of-defense-i-never-knew-but-i/)

[Shimon Peres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shimon-peres/)

> [Many people used to call me a child prodigy, but I never thought that. I knew that I had learned everything, that I had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michala-petri/many-people-used-to-call-me-a-child-prodigy-but-i-never-thought-that/)

[Michala Petri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michala-petri/)

> [I watched 'Seeta Aur Geeta' everyday when I was growing up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esha-deol/i-watched-seeta-aur-geeta-everyday-when-i-was-growing-up/)

[Esha Deol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esha-deol/)

> [I would have to say that because I've lived in so many cities, by no means do I feel it's fair to call myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-bauer/i-would-have-to-say-that-because-i-ve-lived-in-so-many-cities-by-no/)

[Chris Bauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-bauer/)

> [I would spend hours absorbing every intonation, every inflection - how the singer would convey a sentiment and how it would sound coming out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-edmonson/i-would-spend-hours-absorbing-every-intonation-every-inflection-how/)

[Kat Edmonson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-edmonson/)

> [I was terrifed. Would you mind if I sat next to you and watched you smile? So many kids but I only see you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fall-out-boy/i-was-terrifed-would-you-mind-if-i-sat-next-to-you-and-watched-you/)

[Fall Out Boy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fall-out-boy/)

> [I watched 'Holiday' in college, and that was when I had my first fantasy of being Katharine Hepburn, standing at the top of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siri-hustvedt/i-watched-holiday-in-college-and-that-was-when-i-had-my-first-fantasy/)

[Siri Hustvedt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siri-hustvedt/)

> [My growing up years, we watched 'Happy Days,' every night. I don't know what was reruns and what was new.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-silverman/my-growing-up-years-we-watched-happy-days-every-night-i-don-t-know/)

[Sarah Silverman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-silverman/)

> [I watched movies, obviously, just like anybody else, but there was nothing to make me think, 'I'm going to go to L.A. and become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chadwick-boseman/i-watched-movies-obviously-just-like-anybody-else-but-there-was/)

[Chadwick Boseman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chadwick-boseman/)

> [I don't know how 'X Factor' works. I was only there as a guest judge for a day. But I watched 'The Voice' a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-ora/i-don-t-know-how-x-factor-works-i-was-only-there-as-a-guest-judge-for/)

[Rita Ora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-ora/)

> [It was a realization for me when Oprah was talking about New Moon. I was like, "Oh, my god, she's watched a movie that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tinsel-korey/it-was-a-realization-for-me-when-oprah-was-talking-about-new-moon-i/)

[Tinsel Korey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tinsel-korey/)

> [I've followed Gary Oldman his whole career... I've watched the movies he's directed, like 'Nil by Mouth' - I've seen that five times!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/i-ve-followed-gary-oldman-his-whole-career-i-ve-watched-the-movies-he/)

[Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/)

> [I loved 'Chicago Code;' I watched that a lot. It was great because it really captured the city - I'm from Chicago, too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessy-schram/i-loved-chicago-code-i-watched-that-a-lot-it-was-great-because-it/)

[Jessy Schram](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessy-schram/)

## More by Saint Patrick

> [If I have any worth, it is to live my life for God so as to teach these peoples; even though some of them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-patrick/if-i-have-any-worth-it-is-to-live-my-life-for-god-so-as-to-teach/)

[Saint Patrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-patrick/)

> [Daily I expect to be murdered or betrayed or reduced to slavery if the occasion arises. But I fear nothing, because of the promises…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-patrick/daily-i-expect-to-be-murdered-or-betrayed-or-reduced-to-slavery-if/)

[Saint Patrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-patrick/)

> [Let who will scoff and revile - I will not remain silent; neither will I conceal the signs and wonders which have been shown…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-patrick/let-who-will-scoff-and-revile-i-will-not-remain-silent-neither-will-i/)

[Saint Patrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-patrick/)

> [I most certainly believe that it is the gift of God that I am what I am. And so I dwell amongst barbarians, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-patrick/i-most-certainly-believe-that-it-is-the-gift-of-god-that-i-am-what-i/)

[Saint Patrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-patrick/)

> [If I have any worth, it is to live my life for God...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-patrick/if-i-have-any-worth-it-is-to-live-my-life-for-god/)

[Saint Patrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-patrick/)

> [I pray to God to give me perseverance and to deign that I be a faithful witness to Him to the end of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-patrick/i-pray-to-god-to-give-me-perseverance-and-to-deign-that-i-be-a/)

[Saint Patrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-patrick/)

> [On occasion, I used to give presents to the kings, besides the hire that I gave to to their sons who accompany me; and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-patrick/on-occasion-i-used-to-give-presents-to-the-kings-besides-the-hire/)

[Saint Patrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-patrick/)

> [I am Patrick, a sinner, most uncultivated and least of all the faithful and despised in the eyes of many.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-patrick/i-am-patrick-a-sinner-most-uncultivated-and-least-of-all-the-faithful/)

[Saint Patrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-patrick/)

> [“Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-patrick/christ-with-me-christ-before-me-christ-behind-me-christ-in-me-christ/)

[Saint Patrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-patrick/)

> [I am Patrick, yes a sinner and indeed untaught; yet I am established here in Ireland where I profess myself bishop. I am certain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-patrick/i-am-patrick-yes-a-sinner-and-indeed-untaught-yet-i-am-established/)

[Saint Patrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-patrick/)

> [If I be worthy, I live for my God to teach the heathen, even though they may despise me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-patrick/if-i-be-worthy-i-live-for-my-god-to-teach-the-heathen-even-though/)

[Saint Patrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-patrick/)

> [Sufficient for me is that honour which is not seen of men but is felt in the heart, as faithful is He who hath…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-patrick/sufficient-for-me-is-that-honour-which-is-not-seen-of-men-but-is-felt/)

[Saint Patrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-patrick/)

> [The Lord is greater than all: I have said enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-patrick/the-lord-is-greater-than-all-i-have-said-enough/)

[Saint Patrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-patrick/)

> [I see that already in this present world I am exalted above measure by the Lord. And I was not worthy nor such a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-patrick/i-see-that-already-in-this-present-world-i-am-exalted-above-measure/)

[Saint Patrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-patrick/)

> [I was freeborn according to the flesh; I am born of a father who was a decurion, but I sold my noble rank -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-patrick/i-was-freeborn-according-to-the-flesh-i-am-born-of-a-father-who-was-a/)

[Saint Patrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-patrick/)

[Explore all 50 Saint Patrick quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-patrick/)

## More Christianity quotes

> [Christianity was never meant to be defined by its disciplines, but by its passions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/christianity-was-never-meant-to-be-defined-by-its-disciplines-but-by/)

[Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/)

> [I think, here's what I've realized from interviewing people, and I've been very open about my Catholicism and my love of Christ and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-mohr/i-think-here-s-what-i-ve-realized-from-interviewing-people-and-i-ve/)

[Jay Mohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-mohr/)

> [“God hates Hell. He hates the idea of people going there. He hates it so much that He was willing to take on human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-minton/god-hates-hell-he-hates-the-idea-of-people-going-there-he-hates-it-so/)

[Evan Minton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-minton/)

> [“some of my good Baptist brethren in Georgia had done a little preaching from the pulpit against the KKK, I would have a little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-moss/some-of-my-good-baptist-brethren-in-georgia-had-done-a-little/)

[Norman Moss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-moss/)

> [I pray that wherever we are and whatever duties we have in the priesthood of God, we will be united in the cause to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/i-pray-that-wherever-we-are-and-whatever-duties-we-have-in-the/)

[Henry B. Eyring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-b-eyring/)

> [Why do Christians sing when they are together? The reason is, quite simply, because in singing together it is possible for them to speak…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/why-do-christians-sing-when-they-are-together-the-reason-is-quite/)

[Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/)

> [“every church can treat each discipleship class and each worship service as an opportunity for continual rehearsal of what the words, stories, symbols, rituals,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-arthur/every-church-can-treat-each-discipleship-class-and-each-worship/)

[Sarah Arthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-arthur/)

> [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/)

[Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/)

> [“A question for Christians who accept evolution: When did we gain a "soul"? Did Homo habilis have a soul? Homo ergaster? Did God only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-g-mcafee/a-question-for-christians-who-accept-evolution-when-did-we-gain-a/)

[David G. McAfee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-g-mcafee/)

> [The notion of a non-religious Christmas is ridiculous. But so is the insistence on the part of Christians that politicians and retailers carry out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-campos-duffy/the-notion-of-a-non-religious-christmas-is-ridiculous-but-so-is-the/)

[Rachel Campos-Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-campos-duffy/)

> [A real Christian in an odd number anyway. He feels supreme love for One whom he has never seen, talks familiarly every day to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-real-christian-in-an-odd-number-anyway-he-feels-supreme-love-for/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Because the truth is that gossip is as good as gospel in this town. You can save face but you won't ever save your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-oberst/because-the-truth-is-that-gossip-is-as-good-as-gospel-in-this-town/)

[Conor Oberst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-oberst/)

> [How else but through a broken heart may Lord Christ enter in?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/how-else-but-through-a-broken-heart-may-lord-christ-enter-in/)

[Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/)

> [Every saved person this side of heaven owes the gospel to every lost person this side of hell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-platt/every-saved-person-this-side-of-heaven-owes-the-gospel-to-every-lost/)

[David Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-platt/)

> [I grew up in Synagogue in the boys' choir. We didn't listen to music in the house; only at temple. Then I went to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-patinkin/i-grew-up-in-synagogue-in-the-boys-choir-we-didn-t-listen-to-music-in/)

[Mandy Patinkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-patinkin/)

[Browse all 14,385 Christianity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“And He watched over me before I knew Him and before I learned sense or even distinguished between good and evil.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Saint Patrick"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-patrick/and-he-watched-over-me-before-i-knew-him-and-before-i-learned-sense/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Christianity"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-patrick/and-he-watched-over-me-before-i-knew-him-and-before-i-learned-sense/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28a/saint-patrick-13575_christianity_and-he-watched-over-me-before-i-knew-him_2747274.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28a/saint-patrick-13575_christianity_and-he-watched-over-me-before-i-knew-him_2747274.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28a/saint-patrick-13575_christianity_and-he-watched-over-me-before-i-knew-him_2747274.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“And He watched over me before I knew Him and before I learned sense or even distinguished between good and…” — Saint Patrick",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Saint Patrick",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-patrick/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“And He watched over me before...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-patrick/and-he-watched-over-me-before-i-knew-him-and-before-i-learned-sense/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-patrick/and-he-watched-over-me-before-i-knew-him-and-before-i-learned-sense/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
