Goodness Quote by Deszo Koszstolanyi
““Goodness preaches constantly, wants to change humanity, to work miracles from one day to the next, makes a show of its substance, wants to question essentials, but in fact is most often just hollow, lacking in substance, essence itself. A good word which has not yet been put into practice holds within itself every virgin possibility and is more than a good deed, the outcome of which is dubious, its effect arguable. In general words are always more than deeds.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Esti Kornél by Dezső Kosztolányi, 1933
Kosztolányi critiques performative goodness, arguing that preached virtue is hollow, while an unacted good word holds infinite possibility and can outshine dubious deeds.
In simple terms: Words not yet acted on are more powerful than flawed deeds.
Key Takeaway
Keep words full of promise by not preaching.
Themes
goodness
hypocrisy
words versus deeds
moral philosophy
potentiality
Mood
thought-provoking
skeptical
philosophical
Type
philosophical reflection
aphorism
critique
When to use this quote
- public speaking
- ethical debates
- writing
- personal integrity
Key Concepts
performative morality
intention versus action
possibility
Questions to Reflect On
- When have your words outshone your actions?
- Is an unrealized good word truly more valuable than an imperfect deed?
A Different Perspective
Words without action can become empty excuses for inaction.
![“I think [rock'n'roll] essence is what made it good and has a lot in common with what originally made monotheism good - it's against everything that is fixed, all the social structures that you can't go past.” quote by Ezra Furman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/658/ezra-furman-4439_common_i-think-rock-n-roll-essence-is-what-made_680749.jpg)
