A Dios rogando y con el mazo dando. Do you know what it means?

Question

A Dios rogando y con el mazo dando is a very common Spanish expression. Can you guess what it means and share it with the forum?

Here's an example of usage:

Es una conducta típica de los fanáticos religiosos: A Dios rogando y con el mazo dando!

I love these threads. I'm cluess on this one! - --Mariana--, Dec 9, 2012

perhaps i should have just gone with the idiomatic translation given in our index :P - Ox-Y-Gen, Dec 9, 2012

" In addition to Minerva also move your hand". - faliron, Dec 10, 2012

Great game, Franco! - Winkfish, Jan 3, 2017

Answer 1

Being hypocritical? As in, praying to God in church and then doing something against your religion but rationalizing it? I'm probably waaay off here...Just a guess.

Yours is a good guess. But there are more implications to the phrase than religious ones. - francobollo, Dec 9, 2012

It has to do with a double standard: Someone can be very self-righteous and display a smug moral superiority, while in fact they can be embezzling millions or exploiting their workers. - francobollo, Dec 10, 2012

Ahh...cool! - PumpkinCalabaza, Dec 10, 2012

Answer 2

Praying to god and giving of the ....mazo

.God responds to those who are not only asking, but working good as well.

Good try. But nope. - francobollo, Dec 9, 2012

jajaja - Ox-Y-Gen, Dec 9, 2012

Answer 3

Literal translation is "Praying to God and swinging your mace". A mace is a medieval weapon like a giant hammer.

Basically, it means that you are praying for a good outcome but still working hard to achieve it.

A similar phrase in English is "praise the Lord and pass the ammunition."

That is It!! ¡Enhorabuena! It's also like "God helps those who help themselves" The Bible states that "we labor together with God." He does His part and we do ours. - Daniela2041, Jan 3, 2017

Very true Daniel but God also helps the poor and helpless who cannot do anything to.help themselves! :) - FELIZ77, Jan 4, 2017

Daniela , sorry, predictive text keeps changing what I am trying to write! - FELIZ77, Jan 4, 2017

Answer 4

my guesses

Pray to God and row for shore.

Pray and Pay

More literally "Praying to God and giving a bundle (of money or just alot("

Not quite. - francobollo, Dec 9, 2012