---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is our duty to prefer the service of…"
description: "\"It is our duty to prefer the service of the poor to everything else and to offer such service as quickly as possible. If a needy person requires medici..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d6/st-vincent-10256_charity_it-is-our-duty-to-prefer-the-service-of_2543998.jpg"
---

#  It is our duty to prefer the service of the poor to…

![“It is our duty to prefer the service of the poor to everything else and to offer such service as quickly as possible. If a needy person requires medicine or other help during prayer time, do whatever has to be done with peace of mind. Offer the deed to God as your prayer… Charity is certainly…” quote by St. Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d6/st-vincent-10256_charity_it-is-our-duty-to-prefer-the-service-of_2543998.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d6/st-vincent-10256_charity_it-is-our-duty-to-prefer-the-service-of_2543998.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d6/st-vincent-10256_charity_it-is-our-duty-to-prefer-the-service-of_2543998.jpg)

> “It is our duty to prefer the service of the poor to everything else and to offer such service as quickly as possible. If a needy person requires medicine or other help during prayer time, do whatever has to be done with peace of mind. Offer the deed to God as your prayer… Charity is certainly greater than any rule. Moreover, all rules must lead to charity.”

[St. Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-vincent/)

## About This Quote

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

Charitable service should be immediate, selfless, and offered as prayer, surpassing all other rules.

**In simple terms:** Serve the poor promptly and selflessly.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize urgent help.

Themes

charity service compassion

Mood

hopeful inspirational

Type

spiritual ethical

When to use this quote

- emergency aid
- medical assistance
- food distribution
- faith‑based outreach

Key Concepts

self‑sacrifice spiritual duty

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you balance urgency with safety?
- What role does prayer play in your service?

A Different Perspective

May conflict with institutional protocols or personal safety.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Charity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/charity/) [Deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deeds/) [Duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duty/) [Generosity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generosity/) [God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god/) [Good deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-deeds/) [Helping hand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helping-hand/) [Helping others](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helping-others/) [Medicine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/medicine/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Peace of mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace-of-mind/) [Prayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prayer/) [Prayer time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prayer-time/) [Rules](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rules/) [Saint](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saint/) [Service](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/service/) [Service and sacrifice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/service-and-sacrifice/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/)

## Related quotes

> [I like to think that I'm a really strong, tough person, but I'm not. I'm a very, very needy person. I'm very insecure. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katee-sackhoff/i-like-to-think-that-i-m-a-really-strong-tough-person-but-i-m-not-i-m/)

[Katee Sackhoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katee-sackhoff/)

> [“A child is the most needy person in our society, and the greatest need is love.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-ross-campbell/a-child-is-the-most-needy-person-in-our-society-and-the-greatest-need/)

D. Ross Campbell

> [You know, I like to think that I'm a really strong, tough person, but I'm not. I'm a very, very needy person. I'm very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katee-sackhoff/you-know-i-like-to-think-that-i-m-a-really-strong-tough-person-but-i/)

[Katee Sackhoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katee-sackhoff/)

> [I don't think it's necessarily healthy to go into relationships as a needy person. Better to go in with a full deck.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anjelica-huston/i-don-t-think-it-s-necessarily-healthy-to-go-into-relationships-as-a/)

[Anjelica Huston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anjelica-huston/)

> [I was a needy person. I think most pro athletes are. We're all used to a lot of attention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-schlereth/i-was-a-needy-person-i-think-most-pro-athletes-are-we-re-all-used-to/)

[Mark Schlereth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-schlereth/)

> [“Now, there is a great deal of difference between a person who requires assistance or looks to be served, and one who is needy.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/van-reid/now-there-is-a-great-deal-of-difference-between-a-person-who-requires/)

Van Reid

> [I'm a silly little needy person sometimes, and I crouch in a room all alone and think of all the people that I wish…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miriam-margolyes/i-m-a-silly-little-needy-person-sometimes-and-i-crouch-in-a-room-all/)

[Miriam Margolyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miriam-margolyes/)

> [In human affairs, we accomplish everything through prayer. What has been properly arranged, we keep in order, what has gone amiss we improve or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/in-human-affairs-we-accomplish-everything-through-prayer-what-has/)

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

> [“Help" is a prayer that is always answered. It doesn't matter how you pray--with your head bowed in silence, or crying out in grief,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-lamont/help-is-a-prayer-that-is-always-answered-it-doesn-t-matter-how-you/)

Ann Lamont

> [“2 Corinthians 1:11 You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-green/2-corinthians-1-11-you-also-must-help-us-by-prayer-so-that-many-will/)

[James Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-green/)

> [God's help is only a prayer away](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angel-of-god/god-s-help-is-only-a-prayer-away/)

Angel\_of\_God

> [In my deepest, darkest moments, what really got me through was a prayer. Sometimes my prayer was 'Help me.' Sometimes a prayer was 'Thank…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/in-my-deepest-darkest-moments-what-really-got-me-through-was-a-prayer/)

[Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/)

> ['Help' is a prayer that is always answered.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/help-is-a-prayer-that-is-always-answered/)

[Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/)

> [Seek worthy companions. Attend church faithfully. Never fail daily to seek for help through prayer. And I promise you that the way will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyd-k-packer/seek-worthy-companions-attend-church-faithfully-never-fail-daily-to/)

[Boyd K. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyd-k-packer/)

> [In human affairs we accomplish everything through prayer. What has been properly arranged we keep in order, what has gone amiss we change and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/in-human-affairs-we-accomplish-everything-through-prayer-what-has-2/)

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

## More by St. Vincent

> [My dad used to love Steely Dan, the Stones, Jethro Tull and all that. There was always Steely Dan going in my dad's car,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-vincent/my-dad-used-to-love-steely-dan-the-stones-jethro-tull-and-all-that/)

[St. Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-vincent/)

> [I'm supportive of women, absolutely, and it's so gratifying to have girls come up and say, 'I'm really inspired by your guitar playing.' I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-vincent/i-m-supportive-of-women-absolutely-and-it-s-so-gratifying-to-have/)

[St. Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-vincent/)

> [It is absolutely necessary, both for our advancement and the salvation of others, to follow always and in all things the beautiful light of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-vincent/it-is-absolutely-necessary-both-for-our-advancement-and-the-salvation/)

[St. Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-vincent/)

> [We ought to deal kindly with all, and to manifest those qualities which spring naturally from a heart tender and full of Christian charity;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-vincent/we-ought-to-deal-kindly-with-all-and-to-manifest-those-qualities/)

[St. Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-vincent/)

> [I just love playing guitar, so that's what I'm going to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-vincent/i-just-love-playing-guitar-so-that-s-what-i-m-going-to-do/)

[St. Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-vincent/)

> [A song has a life of its own. It's an autonomous thing, separate from your own experience, almost. And the mere repetition of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-vincent/a-song-has-a-life-of-its-own-it-s-an-autonomous-thing-separate-from/)

[St. Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-vincent/)

> [Let us love God my brothers, let us love God. But let it be with the strength of our arms and the sweat of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-vincent/let-us-love-god-my-brothers-let-us-love-god-but-let-it-be-with-the/)

[St. Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-vincent/)

> [To be honest, because there's loud music in my ears probably three hours a day, between sound check and the show, I listen to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-vincent/to-be-honest-because-there-s-loud-music-in-my-ears-probably-three/)

[St. Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-vincent/)

> [It's not enough to do good. It must be done well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-vincent/it-s-not-enough-to-do-good-it-must-be-done-well/)

[St. Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-vincent/)

> [The first step to be taken by one who wishes to follow Christ is, according to Our Lord’s own words, that of renouncing himself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-vincent/the-first-step-to-be-taken-by-one-who-wishes-to-follow-christ-is/)

[St. Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-vincent/)

> [Musically, I have more things in common with tons of bands that have no female members.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-vincent/musically-i-have-more-things-in-common-with-tons-of-bands-that-have/)

[St. Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-vincent/)

> [I think human beings have a really broad spectrum of traits, and I almost feel implicated when we say, 'Men are like this, women…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-vincent/i-think-human-beings-have-a-really-broad-spectrum-of-traits-and-i/)

[St. Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-vincent/)

> [I love Robert Fripp. You know what I really appreciate about Robert Fripp? He always dresses appropriately for the occasion. When he's on stage,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-vincent/i-love-robert-fripp-you-know-what-i-really-appreciate-about-robert/)

[St. Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-vincent/)

> [Guitar is just something I can do. So much of it now is muscle memory, just instinct.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-vincent/guitar-is-just-something-i-can-do-so-much-of-it-now-is-muscle-memory/)

[St. Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-vincent/)

> [I only listen to my own music when I'm playing an hour-and-half set each night. I don't put it on recreationally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-vincent/i-only-listen-to-my-own-music-when-i-m-playing-an-hour-and-half-set/)

[St. Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-vincent/)

[Explore all 67 St. Vincent quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-vincent/)

## More Charity quotes

> [The greatest charity you can contribute to is yourself. Instead of spending a dollar to help feed hungry children, why not spend that dollar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-braff/the-greatest-charity-you-can-contribute-to-is-yourself-instead-of/)

[Zach Braff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-braff/)

> [In this choice of inheritance we have given to our frame of polity the image of a relation in blood; binding up the constitution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/in-this-choice-of-inheritance-we-have-given-to-our-frame-of-polity/)

[Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/)

> [I would have none of that rigid circumspect charity which is never done without scrutiny, and which always mistrusts the truth of the necessities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-baptiste-massillon/i-would-have-none-of-that-rigid-circumspect-charity-which-is-never/)

[Jean Baptiste Massillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-baptiste-massillon/)

> [I'm publicist, patron of nine charities, creative director, food consultant, recipe developer - and mum.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-monroe/i-m-publicist-patron-of-nine-charities-creative-director-food/)

[Jack Monroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-monroe/)

> [The next time you're looking at a charity, don't ask about the rate of their overhead. Ask about the scale of their dreams.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-next-time-you-re-looking-at-a-charity-don-t-ask-about-the-rate-of/)

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

> [Both fact and logic seem to me to support the view that savings invested in privately owned economic tools of production amount to an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-a-harper/both-fact-and-logic-seem-to-me-to-support-the-view-that-savings/)

F. A. Harper

> [I shall pray God to send charity into this hideous world, and sympathy for the weak, and love for the unhappy and unfortunate. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wyndham/i-shall-pray-god-to-send-charity-into-this-hideous-world-and-sympathy/)

[John Wyndham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wyndham/)

> [It is thus only this personal feeling of misery that we get rid of by acts of pity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/it-is-thus-only-this-personal-feeling-of-misery-that-we-get-rid-of-by/)

[Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/)

> [Considering community support and cost-benefit analysis, I have supported earmarks for projects of high public purpose involving such areas as higher education, alternative energy,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-fortenberry/considering-community-support-and-cost-benefit-analysis-i-have/)

[Jeff Fortenberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-fortenberry/)

> [It's always great to be able to give back to the community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikola-vucevic/it-s-always-great-to-be-able-to-give-back-to-the-community/)

[Nikola Vucevic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikola-vucevic/)

> [Slander is a poison which kills charity, both in the slanderer and the one who listens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-of-clairvaux/slander-is-a-poison-which-kills-charity-both-in-the-slanderer-and-the/)

[Bernard of Clairvaux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-of-clairvaux/)

> [I like to give back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-chan/i-like-to-give-back/)

[Jackie Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-chan/)

> [We have to restore power to the family, to the neighborhood, and the community with a non-market principle, a principle of equality, of charity,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-brown/we-have-to-restore-power-to-the-family-to-the-neighborhood-and-the/)

[Jerry Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-brown/)

> [“It takes a female to have a baby, It takes a woman to raise a child, It takes a mother to raise them correctly,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/it-takes-a-female-to-have-a-baby-it-takes-a-woman-to-raise-a-child-it/)

[Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/)

> [I own about 300 pairs of shoes. When I start to go over 300, I have mini-sales from my closet and give the money…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacy-london/i-own-about-300-pairs-of-shoes-when-i-start-to-go-over-300-i-have/)

[Stacy London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacy-london/)

[Browse all 2,477 Charity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/charity/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "It is our duty to prefer the service of the poor to everything else and to offer such service as quickly as possible. If a needy person requires medicine or other help during prayer time, do whatever has to be done with peace of mind. Offer the deed to God as your prayer… Charity is certainly greater than any rule. Moreover, all rules must lead to charity.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "St. Vincent"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-vincent/it-is-our-duty-to-prefer-the-service-of-the-poor-to-everything-else/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Charity"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-vincent/it-is-our-duty-to-prefer-the-service-of-the-poor-to-everything-else/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d6/st-vincent-10256_charity_it-is-our-duty-to-prefer-the-service-of_2543998.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d6/st-vincent-10256_charity_it-is-our-duty-to-prefer-the-service-of_2543998.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d6/st-vincent-10256_charity_it-is-our-duty-to-prefer-the-service-of_2543998.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“It is our duty to prefer the service of the poor to everything else and to offer such service as quickly as…” — St. Vincent",
                "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. Vincent",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-vincent/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "It is our duty to prefer...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-vincent/it-is-our-duty-to-prefer-the-service-of-the-poor-to-everything-else/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-vincent/it-is-our-duty-to-prefer-the-service-of-the-poor-to-everything-else/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
