--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you call [the synagogue] a brothel, a…" description: "\"If you call [the synagogue] a brothel, a den of vice, the devil's refuge, Satan's fortress, a place to deprave the soul, an abyss of every conceivable ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/91e/st-jerome-3227_abyss_if-you-call-the-synagogue-a-brothel-a-de_428582.png" --- # If you call \[the synagogue\] a brothel, a den of vice, the… ![“If you call [the synagogue] a brothel, a den of vice, the devil's refuge, Satan's fortress, a place to deprave the soul, an abyss of every conceivable disaster or whatever else you will, you are still saying less than it deserves.” quote by St. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/91e/st-jerome-3227_abyss_if-you-call-the-synagogue-a-brothel-a-de_428582.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/91e/st-jerome-3227_abyss_if-you-call-the-synagogue-a-brothel-a-de_428582.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/91e/st-jerome-3227_abyss_if-you-call-the-synagogue-a-brothel-a-de_428582.png) > “If you call \[the synagogue\] a brothel, a den of vice, the devil's refuge, Satan's fortress, a place to deprave the soul, an abyss of every conceivable disaster or whatever else you will, you are still saying less than it deserves.” [St. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-jerome/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Even harsh insults fail to capture the true complexity and significance of the synagogue, suggesting it deserves deeper respect. **In simple terms:** Insults don’t reflect its true value. Key Takeaway Seek deeper understanding beyond stereotypes. Themes respect religion misrepresentation Mood thoughtful serious Type educational inspirational When to use this quote - interfaith dialogue - historical study - community building - educational contexts Key Concepts theology cultural sensitivity Questions to Reflect On - What does the synagogue truly represent? - How can we move beyond caricature? A Different Perspective Dismissive language can obscure genuine insight. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abyss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abyss/) [Brothels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brothels/) [Devil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/devil/) [Disaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disaster/) [Fortresses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fortresses/) [Jew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jew/) [Refuge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/refuge/) [Satan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/satan/) [Saying less](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saying-less/) [Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soul/) [Synagogue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/synagogue/) [Vices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vices/) ## Related quotes > [If you destroy delicacy and a sense of shame in a young girl, you deprave her very fast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-beecher-stowe/if-you-destroy-delicacy-and-a-sense-of-shame-in-a-young-girl-you/) [Harriet Beecher Stowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-beecher-stowe/) > [Jeez, Hazel," Percy said, "tell your horse to watch his language." Hazel tried not to laugh. "What did he say?" "With the cussing removed?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/jeez-hazel-percy-said-tell-your-horse-to-watch-his-language-hazel/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [It is saying less than the truth to affirm that an excellent book (and the remark holds almost equally good of a Raphael as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/it-is-saying-less-than-the-truth-to-affirm-that-an-excellent-book-and/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [I feel there is something nice about not talking. Like you can say more by actually saying less.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-gosling/i-feel-there-is-something-nice-about-not-talking-like-you-can-say/) [Ryan Gosling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-gosling/) > [There are many who say more than the truth on some occasions, and balance the account with their consciences by saying less than the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/there-are-many-who-say-more-than-the-truth-on-some-occasions-and/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [“LAW 4 Always Say Less Than Necessary When you are trying to impress people with words, the more you say, the more common you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/law-4-always-say-less-than-necessary-when-you-are-trying-to-impress/) [Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/) > [There is at least one thing more brutal than the truth, and that is the consequence of saying less than the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ti-grace-atkinson/there-is-at-least-one-thing-more-brutal-than-the-truth-and-that-is/) [Ti-Grace Atkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ti-grace-atkinson/) > [To say more while saying less is the secret of being simple.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dejan-stojanovic/to-say-more-while-saying-less-is-the-secret-of-being-simple/) [Dejan Stojanovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dejan-stojanovic/) > [I think you often say more by saying less. 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Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [When you are trying to impress people with words, the more you say, the more common you appear, and the less in control. Even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/when-you-are-trying-to-impress-people-with-words-the-more-you-say-the-2/) [Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/) > [Hillary Clinton is a world class liar. Just look at her pathetic email server statements, or her phony landing - or her phony landing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/hillary-clinton-is-a-world-class-liar-just-look-at-her-pathetic-email/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) ## More by St. Jerome > [Wine is the first weapon that devils use in attacking the young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-jerome/wine-is-the-first-weapon-that-devils-use-in-attacking-the-young/) [St. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-jerome/) > [The Roman world is in collapse but we do not bend our neck.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-jerome/the-roman-world-is-in-collapse-but-we-do-not-bend-our-neck/) [St. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-jerome/) > [And as regards Adam and Eve we must maintain that before the fall they were virgins in Paradise: but after they sinned, and were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-jerome/and-as-regards-adam-and-eve-we-must-maintain-that-before-the-fall/) [St. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-jerome/) > [When the stomach is full, it is easy to talk of fasting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-jerome/when-the-stomach-is-full-it-is-easy-to-talk-of-fasting/) [St. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-jerome/) > [Music to me is a voice, my voice, it's my way of expressing what colours can I bring in, what emotions, what feel. What…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-jerome/music-to-me-is-a-voice-my-voice-it-s-my-way-of-expressing-what/) [St. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-jerome/) > [Everything must have in it a sharp seasoning of truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-jerome/everything-must-have-in-it-a-sharp-seasoning-of-truth/) [St. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-jerome/) > [The best advice that I can give you is this: Church-traditions- especially when they do not run counter to the faith- are to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-jerome/the-best-advice-that-i-can-give-you-is-this-church-traditions/) [St. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-jerome/) > [Woman is the gate of the devil, the road to iniquity, the sting of the scorpion, in a word, a dangerous species.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-jerome/woman-is-the-gate-of-the-devil-the-road-to-iniquity-the-sting-of-the/) [St. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-jerome/) > [If Christ did not want to dismiss the Jews without food in the desert for fear that they would collapse on the way, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-jerome/if-christ-did-not-want-to-dismiss-the-jews-without-food-in-the-desert/) [St. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-jerome/) > [For it is good to cleave to God, and to put our hopes in the Lord, so that, when we have exchanged this poor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-jerome/for-it-is-good-to-cleave-to-god-and-to-put-our-hopes-in-the-lord-so/) [St. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-jerome/) > [When I could not see the light with my blind eyes, I blamed not my eyes, but the sun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-jerome/when-i-could-not-see-the-light-with-my-blind-eyes-i-blamed-not-my/) [St. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-jerome/) > [Instead of speaking saintly words we must act them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-jerome/instead-of-speaking-saintly-words-we-must-act-them/) [St. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-jerome/) > [Honest speech does not seek secret places.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-jerome/honest-speech-does-not-seek-secret-places/) [St. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-jerome/) > [It is no fault of Christianity that a hypocrite falls into sin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-jerome/it-is-no-fault-of-christianity-that-a-hypocrite-falls-into-sin/) [St. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-jerome/) > [The best advice that I can give you is this. Church-traditions — especially when they do not run counter to the faith — are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-jerome/the-best-advice-that-i-can-give-you-is-this-church-traditions-2/) [St. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-jerome/) [Explore all 136 St. Jerome quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-jerome/) ## More Abyss quotes > [We never think that our mothers will die. It was like suddenly an abyss opened at my feet - I was standing on nothing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-okri/we-never-think-that-our-mothers-will-die-it-was-like-suddenly-an/) [Ben Okri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-okri/) > [Early on a difficult climb, especially a solo climb, you’re hyper-aware of the abyss pulling at your back, constantly feeling its call, its immense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-krakauer/early-on-a-difficult-climb-especially-a-solo-climb-you-re-hyper-aware/) [Jon Krakauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-krakauer/) > [“The whole organization seemed to be in free fall, indulging in a collective fantasy in which experienced colleagues refused to admit that their every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-whole-organization-seemed-to-be-in-free-fall-indulging-in-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Adam became so proud that he wished to become God and died for his pride; the Son of God humbled Himself unto death, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-of-kronstadt/adam-became-so-proud-that-he-wished-to-become-god-and-died-for-his/) [John of Kronstadt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-of-kronstadt/) > [The cradle rocks above an abyss, and common sense tells us that our existence is but a brief crack of light between two eternities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-nabokov/the-cradle-rocks-above-an-abyss-and-common-sense-tells-us-that-our/) [Vladimir Nabokov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-nabokov/) > [In the end things must be as they are and have always been--the great things remain for the great, the abysses for the profound,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/in-the-end-things-must-be-as-they-are-and-have-always-been-the-great/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [I admire the Elsie Tanners and Barbara Windsors of the world: people who have crawled back from the abyss. I'm quite camp in that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-eclair/i-admire-the-elsie-tanners-and-barbara-windsors-of-the-world-people/) [Jenny Eclair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-eclair/) > [I've been to unpretty places with the roles I've played, and I'm attracted to reckless abandon. I like being taken to the edge of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhys-ifans/i-ve-been-to-unpretty-places-with-the-roles-i-ve-played-and-i-m/) [Rhys Ifans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhys-ifans/) > [I look into my heart and see the abyss looking back at me.' 'I won't let you fall.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/i-look-into-my-heart-and-see-the-abyss-looking-back-at-me-i-won-t-let/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [There is no drop of water in the ocean, not even in the deepest parts of the abyss, that does not know and respond…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-carson/there-is-no-drop-of-water-in-the-ocean-not-even-in-the-deepest-parts/) [Rachel Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-carson/) > [“But first whom shall we send In search of this new world, whom shall we find Sufficient? Who shall tempt, with wand'ring feet The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/but-first-whom-shall-we-send-in-search-of-this-new-world-whom-shall/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Many women don’t know what orgasm is. Many men don’t know was total orgasm is. Many only achieve a local orgasm, a genital orgasm;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/many-women-don-t-know-what-orgasm-is-many-men-don-t-know-was-total/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Fear not. For fear itself is fed by fear, and all fears pass. Did no one tell you so? Come take my hand, my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-dennis/fear-not-for-fear-itself-is-fed-by-fear-and-all-fears-pass-did-no-one/) [Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) > [God gave the sea the danger and the abyss, but it was in it that He mirrored the sky.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fernando-pessoa/god-gave-the-sea-the-danger-and-the-abyss-but-it-was-in-it-that-he/) [Fernando Pessoa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fernando-pessoa/) > [We belong to an age where apocalypse is our daily bread, coffee's black, and we know we're part of the abyss. Red Spider White…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-aldiss/we-belong-to-an-age-where-apocalypse-is-our-daily-bread-coffee-s/) [Brian Aldiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-aldiss/) [Browse all 625 Abyss quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abyss/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If you call [the synagogue] a brothel, a den of vice, the devil's refuge, Satan's fortress, a place to deprave the soul, an abyss of every conceivable disaster or whatever else you will, you are still saying less than it deserves.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "St. Jerome" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-jerome/if-you-call-the-synagogue-a-brothel-a-den-of-vice-the-devil-s-refuge/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Abyss" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-jerome/if-you-call-the-synagogue-a-brothel-a-den-of-vice-the-devil-s-refuge/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/91e/st-jerome-3227_abyss_if-you-call-the-synagogue-a-brothel-a-de_428582.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/91e/st-jerome-3227_abyss_if-you-call-the-synagogue-a-brothel-a-de_428582.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/91e/st-jerome-3227_abyss_if-you-call-the-synagogue-a-brothel-a-de_428582.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If you call [the synagogue] a brothel, a den of vice, the devil's refuge, Satan's fortress, a place to…” — St. Jerome", "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": "St. Jerome", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-jerome/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If you call [the synagogue] a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-jerome/if-you-call-the-synagogue-a-brothel-a-den-of-vice-the-devil-s-refuge/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-jerome/if-you-call-the-synagogue-a-brothel-a-den-of-vice-the-devil-s-refuge/#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 } } ] } ```