--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: People have this idea that the more pious…" description: "\"People have this idea that the more pious and devout I am, the more successful I am. Which is very dangerous. If you look at faith in that way, you're ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68a/troy-polamalu-7387_am_people-have-this-idea-that-the-more-piou_452288.png" --- # People have this idea that the more pious and devout I am… ![“People have this idea that the more pious and devout I am, the more successful I am. Which is very dangerous. If you look at faith in that way, you're bound to fail at both - spiritually and in your career.” quote by Troy Polamalu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68a/troy-polamalu-7387_am_people-have-this-idea-that-the-more-piou_452288.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68a/troy-polamalu-7387_am_people-have-this-idea-that-the-more-piou_452288.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68a/troy-polamalu-7387_am_people-have-this-idea-that-the-more-piou_452288.png) > “People have this idea that the more pious and devout I am, the more successful I am. Which is very dangerous. If you look at faith in that way, you're bound to fail at both - spiritually and in your career.” [Troy Polamalu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/troy-polamalu/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Equating piety with professional success is a false correlation; both spiritual fulfillment and career achievement require separate effort and balance. **In simple terms:** Being devout doesn’t guarantee career success. Key Takeaway Separate spiritual practice from career goals. Themes faith career balance success Mood thoughtful motivational Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - workplace - religious communities - personal growth Key Concepts psychology sociology personal development Questions to Reflect On - Do you conflate spiritual devotion with professional competence? - How can you nurture both faith and career without compromising either? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on piety can lead to neglect of practical skills. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Career](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/career/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Idea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idea/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Successful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/successful/) ## Related quotes > [The Humble, Meek, Merciful, Just, Pious and Devout Souls, are everywhere of one religion; and when Death has taken off the Mask, they will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/the-humble-meek-merciful-just-pious-and-devout-souls-are-everywhere/) [William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/) > [I didn't grow up around my father. I didn't really grow up around my mother, either. I was raised by a community of people.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/troy-polamalu/i-didn-t-grow-up-around-my-father-i-didn-t-really-grow-up-around-my/) [Troy Polamalu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/troy-polamalu/) > [He who is devout to the Virgin Mother will certainly never be lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ignatius-of-loyola/he-who-is-devout-to-the-virgin-mother-will-certainly-never-be-lost/) [Ignatius of Loyola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ignatius-of-loyola/) > [Live a good life. If there are gods and they are just, then they will not care how devout you have been, but will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/live-a-good-life-if-there-are-gods-and-they-are-just-then-they-will/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [People who can't be witty exert themselves to be devout and affectionate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-eliot/people-who-can-t-be-witty-exert-themselves-to-be-devout-and/) [George Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-eliot/) > [“As long as you live, you will be subject to change, whether you will it or not - now glad, now sorrowful; now pleased,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/as-long-as-you-live-you-will-be-subject-to-change-whether-you-will-it/) [Thomas à Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) > [To listen to some devout people, one would imagine that God never laughs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-aurobindo/to-listen-to-some-devout-people-one-would-imagine-that-god-never/) [Sri Aurobindo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-aurobindo/) > [Devotion as an act is vulgar. Devotion as a way of life is wonderful. If you are a great devotee, it is ugly. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaggi-vasudev/devotion-as-an-act-is-vulgar-devotion-as-a-way-of-life-is-wonderful/) [Jaggi Vasudev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaggi-vasudev/) > [Churchgoers feel righteous, responsible, and obedient to God's will. They view anyone unlike themselves as devoid of values, and therefore unworthy of God's love.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/churchgoers-feel-righteous-responsible-and-obedient-to-god-s-will/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [A religious person is devout in the sense that he has no doubt about the significance of those superpersonal objects and goals which neither…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/a-religious-person-is-devout-in-the-sense-that-he-has-no-doubt-about/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [I need the concept of mercy for me to have some semblance of self-admiration. So in real life, I'm probably somebody who is more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-gaffigan/i-need-the-concept-of-mercy-for-me-to-have-some-semblance-of-self/) [Jim Gaffigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-gaffigan/) > [Hearing the word is the devout receiving of the will of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-ames/hearing-the-word-is-the-devout-receiving-of-the-will-of-god/) [William Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-ames/) > [This has nothing to do with ego. It is solely about my religion and me being a devout Christian. I chose my ring name…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-ward/this-has-nothing-to-do-with-ego-it-is-solely-about-my-religion-and-me/) [Andre Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-ward/) > [I hold religious tendencies, but I'm not devout by any means.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anderson-east/i-hold-religious-tendencies-but-i-m-not-devout-by-any-means/) [Anderson East](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anderson-east/) > [“I suddenly realised that the devout Russian people no longer needed priests to pray them into heaven. On earth they were building a kingdom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-reed/i-suddenly-realised-that-the-devout-russian-people-no-longer-needed/) [John Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-reed/) ## More by Troy Polamalu > [I really enjoy surfing a lot. It's an awesome sport. With surfing there are no mind games versus Peyton Manning, or versus anyone else.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/troy-polamalu/i-really-enjoy-surfing-a-lot-it-s-an-awesome-sport-with-surfing-there/) [Troy Polamalu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/troy-polamalu/) > [I've never thought about the end of my career. I've had this growing motto in my life to live day to day - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/troy-polamalu/i-ve-never-thought-about-the-end-of-my-career-i-ve-had-this-growing/) [Troy Polamalu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/troy-polamalu/) > [Pride is tough. You go to high school, and its 'pride,' 'courage;' it's all these types of words that we use to motivate us.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/troy-polamalu/pride-is-tough-you-go-to-high-school-and-its-pride-courage-it-s-all/) [Troy Polamalu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/troy-polamalu/) > [My parents separated before I was 1 year old. I moved in with my aunt and uncle when I was in fourth grade. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/troy-polamalu/my-parents-separated-before-i-was-1-year-old-i-moved-in-with-my-aunt/) [Troy Polamalu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/troy-polamalu/) > [I think it's important to cross train. Surfing is a good cross training sport for your shoulders. I don't think I know of any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/troy-polamalu/i-think-it-s-important-to-cross-train-surfing-is-a-good-cross/) [Troy Polamalu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/troy-polamalu/) > [I am a National Football League player of American Samoan heritage. Because of my status as a professional athlete, I have been blessed to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/troy-polamalu/i-am-a-national-football-league-player-of-american-samoan-heritage/) [Troy Polamalu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/troy-polamalu/) > [Three English bulldogs count for one kid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/troy-polamalu/three-english-bulldogs-count-for-one-kid/) [Troy Polamalu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/troy-polamalu/) > [I think that's a struggle of every Christian, to be able to get to that point where they're in constant prayer with God -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/troy-polamalu/i-think-that-s-a-struggle-of-every-christian-to-be-able-to-get-to/) [Troy Polamalu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/troy-polamalu/) > [As a football player, you just deal with injuries. It's all part of the football game. I've dealt with injuries as much as everybody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/troy-polamalu/as-a-football-player-you-just-deal-with-injuries-it-s-all-part-of-the/) [Troy Polamalu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/troy-polamalu/) > [My wife is Greek. I was a non-denomination Christian before we got married.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/troy-polamalu/my-wife-is-greek-i-was-a-non-denomination-christian-before-we-got/) [Troy Polamalu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/troy-polamalu/) > [The best thing about football for me is the reacting. It's a lot of instincts. But training, for me, it's more for the meditating.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/troy-polamalu/the-best-thing-about-football-for-me-is-the-reacting-it-s-a-lot-of/) [Troy Polamalu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/troy-polamalu/) > [Being patient ... and not becoming too stressed out over the big plays, those are the things to remember.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/troy-polamalu/being-patient-and-not-becoming-too-stressed-out-over-the-big-plays/) [Troy Polamalu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/troy-polamalu/) > [I've always been fascinated by the military, the discipline they have and the sacrifices they make to defend the country. It's something I've always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/troy-polamalu/i-ve-always-been-fascinated-by-the-military-the-discipline-they-have/) [Troy Polamalu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/troy-polamalu/) > [The barefoot component of my training is about strengthening the toes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/troy-polamalu/the-barefoot-component-of-my-training-is-about-strengthening-the-toes/) [Troy Polamalu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/troy-polamalu/) > [There's rule changes every year. I do wish, however, that the NFL did have a voice from the players' side, whether it's our players'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/troy-polamalu/there-s-rule-changes-every-year-i-do-wish-however-that-the-nfl-did/) [Troy Polamalu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/troy-polamalu/) [Explore all 92 Troy Polamalu quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/troy-polamalu/) ## More Am quotes > [I don't own designer clothes, or a sports car, or a huge house, but I am seeing the world, experiencing amazing things, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roz-savage/i-don-t-own-designer-clothes-or-a-sports-car-or-a-huge-house-but-i-am/) [Roz Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roz-savage/) > [I think I am against stereotype. Generally, Asian guys are more quiet - they study and have a good work ethic. Generally, I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-lee/i-think-i-am-against-stereotype-generally-asian-guys-are-more-quiet/) [Bobby Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-lee/) > [I am not a depressive person at all, but I reflect a lot on my life, and life in general, from the perspective of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/i-am-not-a-depressive-person-at-all-but-i-reflect-a-lot-on-my-life/) [Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/) > [Any incarnation of 'Batman' I am delighted to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-west/any-incarnation-of-batman-i-am-delighted-to-do/) [Adam West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-west/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [I am confident when I take the penalty otherwise I would pass for somebody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-fernandes/i-am-confident-when-i-take-the-penalty-otherwise-i-would-pass-for/) [Bruno Fernandes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruno-fernandes/) > [I am on sabbatical as of right now, been too busy to think of about my OWN needs as of late.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-diamond/i-am-on-sabbatical-as-of-right-now-been-too-busy-to-think-of-about-my/) [Jim Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-diamond/) > [I am strongly opposed to any form of amnesty, including, especially, executive amnesty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-scalise/i-am-strongly-opposed-to-any-form-of-amnesty-including-especially/) [Steve Scalise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-scalise/) > [I am no different from a lot of people. I am concerned for the future of my children and concerned for the future of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-barnes/i-am-no-different-from-a-lot-of-people-i-am-concerned-for-the-future/) [John Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-barnes/) > [I won't be managing the Mets. I am closing the door on managing the Mets and probably everybody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-torre/i-won-t-be-managing-the-mets-i-am-closing-the-door-on-managing-the/) [Joe Torre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-torre/) > [I know who I am. I know what I represent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-cora/i-know-who-i-am-i-know-what-i-represent/) [Alex Cora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-cora/) > [I am fortunate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-westheimer/i-am-fortunate/) [Ruth Westheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-westheimer/) > [I will support my party when they are right on an issue, but am not afraid to stand up to party bosses who are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darlene-senger/i-will-support-my-party-when-they-are-right-on-an-issue-but-am-not/) Darlene Senger > [Acting is what I do with who I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-walter/acting-is-what-i-do-with-who-i-am/) [Harriet Walter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-walter/) > [I am a big outliner. For my adult book, 'The Visibles,' I did not outline, and it took me two years to write because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-shepard/i-am-a-big-outliner-for-my-adult-book-the-visibles-i-did-not-outline/) [Sara Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-shepard/) Browse all 9,589 Am quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "People have this idea that the more pious and devout I am, the more successful I am. Which is very dangerous. If you look at faith in that way, you're bound to fail at both - spiritually and in your career.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Troy Polamalu" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/troy-polamalu/people-have-this-idea-that-the-more-pious-and-devout-i-am-the-more/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Am" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/troy-polamalu/people-have-this-idea-that-the-more-pious-and-devout-i-am-the-more/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68a/troy-polamalu-7387_am_people-have-this-idea-that-the-more-piou_452288.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68a/troy-polamalu-7387_am_people-have-this-idea-that-the-more-piou_452288.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68a/troy-polamalu-7387_am_people-have-this-idea-that-the-more-piou_452288.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“People have this idea that the more pious and devout I am, the more successful I am. Which is very…” — Troy Polamalu", "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": "Troy Polamalu", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/troy-polamalu/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "People have this idea that the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/troy-polamalu/people-have-this-idea-that-the-more-pious-and-devout-i-am-the-more/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/troy-polamalu/people-have-this-idea-that-the-more-pious-and-devout-i-am-the-more/#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 } } ] } ```