--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There are always those who take it upon…" description: "\"“There are always those who take it upon themselves to defend God, as if Ultimate Reality, as if the sustaining frame of existence, were something weak..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf7/yann-martel-395_angry-words_there-are-always-those-who-take-it-upon_3231665.jpg" --- # There are always those who take it upon themselves to… ![“There are always those who take it upon themselves to defend God, as if Ultimate Reality, as if the sustaining frame of existence, were something weak and helpless. These people walk by a widow deformed by leprosy begging for a few paise, walk by children dressed in rags living in the street, and…” quote by Yann Martel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf7/yann-martel-395_angry-words_there-are-always-those-who-take-it-upon_3231665.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf7/yann-martel-395_angry-words_there-are-always-those-who-take-it-upon_3231665.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf7/yann-martel-395_angry-words_there-are-always-those-who-take-it-upon_3231665.jpg) > ““There are always those who take it upon themselves to defend God, as if Ultimate Reality, as if the sustaining frame of existence, were something weak and helpless. These people walk by a widow deformed by leprosy begging for a few paise, walk by children dressed in rags living in the street, and they think, “Business as usual.” But if they perceive a slight against God, it is a different story. Their faces go red, their chests heave mightily, they sputter angry words. The degree of their indignation is astonishing. Their resolve is frightening. These people fail to realize that it is on the inside that God must be defended, not on the outside. They should direct their anger at themselves. For evil in the open is but evil from within that has been let out. The main battlefield for good is not the open ground of the public arena but the small clearing of each heart. Meanwhile,”” [Yann Martel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yann-martel/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Defending external symbols of faith while neglecting inner moral integrity, urging self‑accountability for true goodness. **In simple terms:** People defend God outwardly but ignore inner flaws. Key Takeaway Focus on inner moral work. Themes faith hypocrisy self‑critique Mood thoughtful critical Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - religious practice - personal growth - ethical decision‑making Key Concepts integrity spirituality Questions to Reflect On - What inner habits need change? - How can you align actions with beliefs? A Different Perspective External rituals without inner change are ineffective. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Angry words](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/angry-words/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) ## Related quotes > [“And that wasn't the end of it. 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