--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Our first responsibility in all things is…" description: "\"Our first responsibility in all things is to preserve our goodness of heart - then and only then act.\" — George Saunders" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/210/george-saunders-317_all-things_our-first-responsibility-in-all-things-i_2297080.jpg" --- # Our first responsibility in all things is to preserve our… ![“Our first responsibility in all things is to preserve our goodness of heart - then and only then act.” quote by George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/210/george-saunders-317_all-things_our-first-responsibility-in-all-things-i_2297080.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/210/george-saunders-317_all-things_our-first-responsibility-in-all-things-i_2297080.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/210/george-saunders-317_all-things_our-first-responsibility-in-all-things-i_2297080.jpg) > “Our first responsibility in all things is to preserve our goodness of heart - then and only then act.” [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Act only after safeguarding a kind heart; moral actions stem from inner goodness. **In simple terms:** Preserve goodness before acting. Key Takeaway Cultivate kindness first. Themes ethics self‑reflection kindness Mood thoughtful inspirational Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - volunteering - parenting - decision making Key Concepts moral philosophy emotional intelligence Questions to Reflect On - How do you ensure your actions align with your values? - What practices keep your heart compassionate? A Different Perspective Pure intentions can be compromised by external pressures. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [All things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/all-things/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Goodness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goodness/) [Goodness Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goodness-heart-2712065/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Heart Act](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart-act-5418980/) [Preserve Goodness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preserve-goodness-5418979/) [Preserves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preserves/) [Responsibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/responsibility/) [Responsibility Things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/responsibility-things-295302/) ## Related quotes > [Your first responsibility is to yourself and to your own goodness of heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/your-first-responsibility-is-to-yourself-and-to-your-own-goodness-of/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) > [The goodness of the heart is shown in deeds Of peacefulness and kindness. Hand and heart Are one thing with the good, as thou…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-james-bailey/the-goodness-of-the-heart-is-shown-in-deeds-of-peacefulness-and/) [Philip James Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-james-bailey/) > [It all begins with goodness in the heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bjorn-street/it-all-begins-with-goodness-in-the-heart/) [Bjorn Street](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bjorn-street/) > [“Those who can find faults in everything have a brain, Those who can find goodness in everything have a heart”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luca-d-l/those-who-can-find-faults-in-everything-have-a-brain-those-who-can/) [Luca D.L](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luca-d-l/) > [Everyday we used to slip away to talk. We would talk about the goodness of your heart. 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