--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Render unto Caesar the things that are…" description: "\"Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's; and unto human beings, what?\" — Stanislaw Jerzy Lec" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c50/stanislaw-jerzy-lec-3312_human-beings_render-unto-caesar-the-things-that-are-c_1867167.png" --- # Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and unto… ![“Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's; and unto human beings, what?” quote by Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c50/stanislaw-jerzy-lec-3312_human-beings_render-unto-caesar-the-things-that-are-c_1867167.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c50/stanislaw-jerzy-lec-3312_human-beings_render-unto-caesar-the-things-that-are-c_1867167.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c50/stanislaw-jerzy-lec-3312_human-beings_render-unto-caesar-the-things-that-are-c_1867167.png) > “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's; and unto human beings, what?” [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. It questions the division of duties among authorities and humanity, implying a moral dilemma about responsibility. **In simple terms:** Who should bear responsibility? Key Takeaway Consider ethical distribution of duties. Themes responsibility authority ethics humanity Mood critical inquisitive Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - government policy - community service - personal decisions Key Concepts moral philosophy political theory Questions to Reflect On - What responsibilities should humans keep? - Where should state power end? A Different Perspective Balancing authority and humanity is complex. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Human beings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-beings/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) ## Related quotes > ["Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's and unto God the things which are God's." One would like to add: Give unto man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-pius-xii/render-unto-caesar-the-things-which-are-caesar-s-and-unto-god-the/) [Pope Pius XII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-pius-xii/) > [That utterance of Jesus, "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's," is one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-truett/that-utterance-of-jesus-render-therefore-unto-caesar-the-things-which/) [George W Truett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-truett/) > [Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-ambrose/render-to-caesar-the-things-that-are-caesar-s-and-to-god-the-things/) [Saint Ambrose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-ambrose/) > [The words were a paraphrase of the suggestion of Jesus: "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's." Bokonon's paraphrase was this: "Pay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-vonnegut/the-words-were-a-paraphrase-of-the-suggestion-of-jesus-render/) [Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-vonnegut/) > [“In Jewish tradition, we find the cautionary adage “Be in the world, but not of the world.” In the Gospels, Jesus says: “Render unto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-blech/in-jewish-tradition-we-find-the-cautionary-adage-be-in-the-world-but/) [Benjamin Blech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-blech/) > [“To understand what Jesus accomplished and how he paid with his life, we have to understand what was happening around him. His was a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-o-reilly/to-understand-what-jesus-accomplished-and-how-he-paid-with-his-life/) [Bill O'Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-o-reilly/) > [Jesus said that when confronted with Caesar's coin, to render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's but unto God what is God's.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-p-george/jesus-said-that-when-confronted-with-caesar-s-coin-to-render-unto/) [Robert P. George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-p-george/) > [A man may have to die for our country: but no man must, in any exclusive sense, live for his country. He who surrenders…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/a-man-may-have-to-die-for-our-country-but-no-man-must-in-any/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [The real point is that totalitarian regimes have claimed jurisdiction over the whole person, and the whole society, and they don't at all believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeane-kirkpatrick/the-real-point-is-that-totalitarian-regimes-have-claimed-jurisdiction/) [Jeane Kirkpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeane-kirkpatrick/) > [If the distinction provided by Jesus' words: Give unto god, what is god's, and unto Caesar what is Caesar's! is carried through, then other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-rosenberg/if-the-distinction-provided-by-jesus-words-give-unto-god-what-is-god/) [Alfred Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-rosenberg/) > [“You can render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's, but if you don't keep from Caesar that which is yours, Caesar will take some,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-levin/you-can-render-unto-caesar-that-which-is-caesar-s-but-if-you-don-t/) [Adam Levin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-levin/) > [Jesus said, 'Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's,' and part of that was to go to war, protecting whatever nation was under control…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-falwell-jr/jesus-said-render-unto-caesar-that-which-is-caesar-s-and-part-of-that/) [Jerry Falwell, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-falwell-jr/) > [Let your voice be heard, whether or not it is to the taste of every jack-in-office who may be obstructing the traffic. By all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-johnston/let-your-voice-be-heard-whether-or-not-it-is-to-the-taste-of-every/) Denis Johnston > [“You, judge, must render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's, while I shall render unto God that which is God's.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-unamuno/you-judge-must-render-unto-caesar-that-which-is-caesar-s-while-i/) [Miguel de Unamuno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-unamuno/) > [Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/tell-us-therefore-what-thinkest-thou-is-it-lawful-to-give-tribute/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) ## More by Stanislaw Jerzy Lec > [Even Einstein had to rely for his time on his clock.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/even-einstein-had-to-rely-for-his-time-on-his-clock/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [A sweet thing, perspective - a chance to see your enemies so small.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/a-sweet-thing-perspective-a-chance-to-see-your-enemies-so-small/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [The success of Heine -- to become a world-famous 'unknown poet.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/the-success-of-heine-to-become-a-world-famous-unknown-poet/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [What do I believe? I believe in God, if he exists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/what-do-i-believe-i-believe-in-god-if-he-exists/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [There are parodies of non-existent things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/there-are-parodies-of-non-existent-things/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [Love of one's country recognizes no frontiers... of other countries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/love-of-one-s-country-recognizes-no-frontiers-of-other-countries/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [Illiterates have to dictate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/illiterates-have-to-dictate/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [“Even the masochists tell everything when tortured. From sheer gratitude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/even-the-masochists-tell-everything-when-tortured-from-sheer-gratitude/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [Many a zero thinks it is the ellipse on which the Earth travels.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/many-a-zero-thinks-it-is-the-ellipse-on-which-the-earth-travels/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [I don't agree with mathematics; the sum total of zeros is a frightening figure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/i-don-t-agree-with-mathematics-the-sum-total-of-zeros-is-a/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [Let him who is without guilt cast the first stone. A trap. Because then he will be no longer without guilt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/let-him-who-is-without-guilt-cast-the-first-stone-a-trap-because-then/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [A fat person lives shorter but eats longer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/a-fat-person-lives-shorter-but-eats-longer/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [An empty envelope that is sealed contains a secret.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/an-empty-envelope-that-is-sealed-contains-a-secret/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [Advice to writers: Sometimes you just have to stop writing. Even before you begin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/advice-to-writers-sometimes-you-just-have-to-stop-writing-even-before/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [I prefer the sign NO ENTRANCE to the sign which says NO EXIT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/i-prefer-the-sign-no-entrance-to-the-sign-which-says-no-exit/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) [Explore all 128 Stanislaw Jerzy Lec quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) ## More Human beings quotes > [Houses are like the human beings that inhabit them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/houses-are-like-the-human-beings-that-inhabit-them/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [Humans are, as Sartre put it, 'condemned to be free'. To insist that science, or God, objectively defines moral values is to abandon our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenan-malik/humans-are-as-sartre-put-it-condemned-to-be-free-to-insist-that/) Kenan Malik > [Human beings have an innate inner drive to be autonomous, self-determined, and connected to one another. And when that drive is liberated, people achieve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/human-beings-have-an-innate-inner-drive-to-be-autonomous-self/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [Gambling has held human beings in thrall for millennia. It has been engaged in everywhere, from the dregs of society to the most respectable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-l-bernstein/gambling-has-held-human-beings-in-thrall-for-millennia-it-has-been/) [Peter L. Bernstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-l-bernstein/) > [Here's the reality. The image of a white Jesus has been used to justify enslavement, conquest, colonialism, the genocide of indigenous peoples. There are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-wise/here-s-the-reality-the-image-of-a-white-jesus-has-been-used-to/) [Tim Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-wise/) > [What is music? Music is language. A human being wants to express ideas in this language, but not ideas that can be translated into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-webern/what-is-music-music-is-language-a-human-being-wants-to-express-ideas/) [Anton Webern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-webern/) > [What we're supposed to do as actors is be able to portray real human beings and emotions. And if you grow up in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-browning/what-we-re-supposed-to-do-as-actors-is-be-able-to-portray-real-human/) [Emily Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-browning/) > [I think everybody, or the great majority of human beings, have this aspiration to become other: to live a different identity, at least for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-vargas-llosa/i-think-everybody-or-the-great-majority-of-human-beings-have-this/) [Mario Vargas Llosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-vargas-llosa/) > [“Is there any holy beings like human beings?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/is-there-any-holy-beings-like-human-beings/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [A human being can only absorb a small amount of the mystical kundalini, you can be exposed again and again to it, but it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/a-human-being-can-only-absorb-a-small-amount-of-the-mystical/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [I recognize I am essentially a failed human being in the sense that I can't possibly live up to the expectations of an Almighty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/i-recognize-i-am-essentially-a-failed-human-being-in-the-sense-that-i/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [A composer knows that music is written by human beings for human beings and that music is a continuation of life, not something separated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hanns-eisler/a-composer-knows-that-music-is-written-by-human-beings-for-human/) Hanns Eisler > [“According to this model, human beings are, at least in one aspect, sensation-receiving machines; and although our receptory apparatus is competent to select and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cruce-stark/according-to-this-model-human-beings-are-at-least-in-one-aspect/) Cruce Stark > [For our purposes as human beings, the mind is the center of everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/for-our-purposes-as-human-beings-the-mind-is-the-center-of-everything/) [Marilynne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilynne-robinson/) > [Human beings seek community, and permanent openness is hard to sustain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-douthat/human-beings-seek-community-and-permanent-openness-is-hard-to-sustain/) [Ross Douthat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-douthat/) [Browse all 6,948 Human beings quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-beings/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's; and unto human beings, what?", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Stanislaw Jerzy Lec" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/render-unto-caesar-the-things-that-are-caesar-s-and-unto-god-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Human beings" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/render-unto-caesar-the-things-that-are-caesar-s-and-unto-god-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c50/stanislaw-jerzy-lec-3312_human-beings_render-unto-caesar-the-things-that-are-c_1867167.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c50/stanislaw-jerzy-lec-3312_human-beings_render-unto-caesar-the-things-that-are-c_1867167.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c50/stanislaw-jerzy-lec-3312_human-beings_render-unto-caesar-the-things-that-are-c_1867167.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's; and unto human…” — Stanislaw Jerzy Lec", "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": "Stanislaw Jerzy Lec", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Render unto Caesar the things that...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/render-unto-caesar-the-things-that-are-caesar-s-and-unto-god-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/render-unto-caesar-the-things-that-are-caesar-s-and-unto-god-the/#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 } } ] } ```