there but for the grace of God go I

Idioms  

1. I also could be in that terrible situation, as in Seeing him with two flat tires on the highway, she said “There but for the grace of God go I.” This expression has been attributed to John Bradford, who so remarked on seeing criminals being led to their execution (c. 1553) and who in fact was executed himself as a heretic a few years later. A number of religious leaders, including John Bunyan, have been credited with it as well.

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Example Sentences

They saw him as a "There but for the grace of God go I" story.

From Salon

There but for the grace of God go I.’ I have no idea what I’d do.

From Los Angeles Times

But when I read Timberg, and when I read about him — it’s with more than a passing sense of “There but for the grace of God go I.”

From Los Angeles Times

But perhaps no owner in the league can relate to the notion of “there, but for the grace of God, go I” than Jones when it comes to the idea of getting rid of NFL owners.

From Washington Times

Bathé’s mother is actor/singer Clare Bathé — who recorded the hit song “There But for the Grace of God Go I” in 1979 with her group Machine.

From Seattle Times