Cats don’t catch mice to please God.
Cats don’t catch mice to please God.
Meaning in plain English
Cats catching mice without seeking God’s approval question an elevated motive being assigned to an ordinary action. The saying contrasts conduct with an asserted religious purpose.
Example
A reader examines the stated reason for an action instead of assuming a sacred label establishes its motive.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
The animal comparison is not a verified account of motives. A useful reading can ask whether an explanation fits the actual circumstances without presuming cynical motives in every person. The sentence neither proves nor disproves sincere faith, and its precise traditional application is unverified.
When to use it
Use it only as a qualified action-and-motive comparison.
Keep in mind
No animal motive, universal self-interest or judgment of religious sincerity is established.
Edsverb editorial interpretation · agent reviewed · 2026-10-05. This explains the saying; it does not establish its historical origin.
- Country attributed by the collection
Afghanistan · source-attributed; earliest origin unverified
- Source
- Contributor-provided wisdom reference
Supplied reference B; unit 478; PDF page 45; collection label: Afghanistan
Reuse and collection notes ↗ - Attribution confidence
- traditional · supplied collection
Preserved as printed; independently unverified. - Historical coordinate
- Undated
No reliable date supplied by the collection. - Rights & edition
- Contributor-confirmed reuse permission
Translations and rights may differ elsewhere.
Provenance and licences ↗
Word-matched topics