Wiktionary

there but for the grace of God go I

English

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Etymology

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There are several variants of this phrase, but all make reference to the same concept: an admission of humility that were it not for the work of God's grace (and perhaps also one's upbringing among those also formed in God's grace), any number of trials or tribulations could have befallen a person. The original is most often attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, who may well have been quoting or paraphrasing the words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:8–10, which states, "Last of all, as to one born abnormally, he appeared to me. For I am the least of the apostles, not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am..."

It has also been attributed to a mid-16th-century statement by a protestant, John Bradford: "There but for the grace of God, goes John Bradford", in reference to a group of prisoners being led to execution.

Proverb

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there but for the grace of God go I

  1. A recognition that others' misfortune could be one's own, if it weren't for the blessing of the Divine, or for fortune or fate.
    • 2001, J. G. Thirlwell (lyrics and music), “Grace of God”, in Flow, performed by Foetus:
      I been turned out of places all over town
      My smile is a frown turned upside down
      There but for the grace of God go I

Usage notes

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  • This proverb is an expression of humility; in using it, a speaker acknowledges that outside factors (such as God's grace, or one's upbringing) have played a role in one's success in life.
  • The adverbial phrase is often set off with commas: "There, but for the grace of God, go I."
  • Used also to express that one cannot judge others for their flaws for we are all equally flawed; in this sense, compare also "let him who is without sin cast the first stone".
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Translations

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References

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