--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Those reformers who preach against…" description: "\"Those reformers who preach against image-worship, or what they denounce as idolatry - to them I say \"Brothers, if you are fit to worship God-without-fo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/614/swami-vivekananda-53_brother_those-reformers-who-preach-against-image_1991321.jpg" --- # Those reformers who preach against image-worship, or what… ![“Those reformers who preach against image-worship, or what they denounce as idolatry - to them I say "Brothers, if you are fit to worship God-without-form discarding all external help, do so, but why do you condemn others who cannot do the same?"” quote by Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/614/swami-vivekananda-53_brother_those-reformers-who-preach-against-image_1991321.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/614/swami-vivekananda-53_brother_those-reformers-who-preach-against-image_1991321.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/614/swami-vivekananda-53_brother_those-reformers-who-preach-against-image_1991321.jpg) > “Those reformers who preach against image-worship, or what they denounce as idolatry - to them I say "Brothers, if you are fit to worship God-without-form discarding all external help, do so, but why do you condemn others who cannot do the same?"” [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He challenges those who condemn others for using images in worship while claiming pure devotion themselves. **In simple terms:** Don't judge others for their worship style if you claim purity. Key Takeaway Practice humility and tolerance. Themes tolerance religion hypocrisy humility Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - interfaith dialogue - personal worship - community leadership - religious counseling Key Concepts iconoclasm spiritual authenticity ethical consistency Questions to Reflect On - How can you respect differing worship practices? - What does true devotion look like without judgment? A Different Perspective Condemning others may alienate believers and hinder unity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Brother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brother/) [Idol worship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idol-worship/) [Idolatry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idolatry/) [Reformers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reformers/) [Worship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worship/) ## Related quotes > [To say I support religious freedom is to say I support idolatry. It's to say I support lies. I support Hell. 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If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/the-test-of-having-ceased-to-be-an-idolater-is-when-you-say-i-does/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Despite the many iniquities that have found entrance into the practices of image-worship as it is in vogue now, I do not condemn it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/despite-the-many-iniquities-that-have-found-entrance-into-the/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Many of us do not believe in any form of idolatry; but they have no right to object when others do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/many-of-us-do-not-believe-in-any-form-of-idolatry-but-they-have-no/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [The world has not gone one step beyond idolatry yet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/the-world-has-not-gone-one-step-beyond-idolatry-yet/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [We are all born idolaters, and idolatry is good, because it is in the nature of man. Who can get beyond it? Only the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/we-are-all-born-idolaters-and-idolatry-is-good-because-it-is-in-the/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [The idol is the expression of religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/the-idol-is-the-expression-of-religion/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [One thing I must tell you. Idolatry in India does not mean anything horrible. It is not the mother of harlots.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/one-thing-i-must-tell-you-idolatry-in-india-does-not-mean-anything/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [We may worship a picture as God, but not God as the picture. 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