---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When you think you're a really good…"
description: "\"When you think you're a really good person, you're actually capable of doing some real harm to people, either knowingly or unknowingly. It's the big li..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/james-tupper-16470_good_when-you-think-you-re-a-really-good-pers_21361.jpg"
---

#  When you think you're a really good person, you're…

![“When you think you're a really good person, you're actually capable of doing some real harm to people, either knowingly or unknowingly. It's the big little lie that we all live in.” quote by James Tupper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/james-tupper-16470_good_when-you-think-you-re-a-really-good-pers_21361.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/james-tupper-16470_good_when-you-think-you-re-a-really-good-pers_21361.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/james-tupper-16470_good_when-you-think-you-re-a-really-good-pers_21361.jpg)

> “When you think you're a really good person, you're actually capable of doing some real harm to people, either knowingly or unknowingly. It's the big little lie that we all live in.”

[James Tupper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-tupper/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Self‑deception about moral superiority blinds us to the harm we may cause, often unintentionally, reinforcing a comforting false self‑image.

**In simple terms:** Moral self‑delusion leads to hidden harm.

Key Takeaway

Beware of unexamined virtue.

Themes

self-awareness ethics cognitive bias humility psychology

Mood

reflective cautious introspective

Type

aphor observation

When to use this quote

- personal relationships
- leadership decisions
- community interactions
- policy making

Key Concepts

moral self‑assessment unconscious impact self‑deception

Practical Applications

- ethical self‑reflection
- training on bias awareness

Questions to Reflect On

- How might my perceived goodness affect my actions?
- What steps can I take to uncover hidden biases?

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Good person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-person/) [Harm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/harm/) [Lie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lie/)

## Related quotes

> [As a Senator from Rhode Island, I wish that once - just once - the fossil fuel industry and their paid-for PR machine would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheldon-whitehouse/as-a-senator-from-rhode-island-i-wish-that-once-just-once-the-fossil/)

[Sheldon Whitehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheldon-whitehouse/)

> [When white supremacy becomes institutional, it begins to harm the very people who are not simply outside of it because of their race, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-eric-dyson/when-white-supremacy-becomes-institutional-it-begins-to-harm-the-very/)

[Michael Eric Dyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-eric-dyson/)

> [Nuclear weapons production and testing has involved extensive health and environmental damage … One of the most remarkable features of this damage has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arjun-makhijani/nuclear-weapons-production-and-testing-has-involved-extensive-health/)

Arjun Makhijani

> [I don't be bringing harm to people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmad-balshe/i-don-t-be-bringing-harm-to-people/)

[Ahmad Balshe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmad-balshe/)

> [Once or twice in my career I feel that I have done more real harm by my discovery of the criminal than ever he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/once-or-twice-in-my-career-i-feel-that-i-have-done-more-real-harm-by/)

[Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/)

> [“Losing what we have can only do us real harm when we feel we can't create it, or something equally valuable or compelling, again,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-patrick/losing-what-we-have-can-only-do-us-real-harm-when-we-feel-we-can-t/)

[Sean Patrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-patrick/)

> [The real harm of term extension comes not from these famous works. The real harm is to the works that are not famous, not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-lessig/the-real-harm-of-term-extension-comes-not-from-these-famous-works-the/)

[Lawrence Lessig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-lessig/)

> [“It's people with obsessions who do the real harm in the world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-francis/it-s-people-with-obsessions-who-do-the-real-harm-in-the-world/)

[Dick Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-francis/)

> [I have to do this all the time - choosing what to print based on how it might come back to harm people from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-gira-grant/i-have-to-do-this-all-the-time-choosing-what-to-print-based-on-how-it/)

[Melissa Gira Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-gira-grant/)

> [I think it's pathetic that a court of law cannot be in a vacuum of the legal system, without the influence of the public…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-fuhrman/i-think-it-s-pathetic-that-a-court-of-law-cannot-be-in-a-vacuum-of/)

[Mark Fuhrman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-fuhrman/)

> [“Strangers don't harm you ,But the people who says they care about you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohammed-zaki-ansari/strangers-don-t-harm-you-but-the-people-who-says-they-care-about-you/)

[Mohammed Zaki Ansari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohammed-zaki-ansari/)

> [Most harm is done by people who are awake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-hardy/most-harm-is-done-by-people-who-are-awake/)

[Jeremy Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-hardy/)

> [There is nothing wrong with listen too people on things, nothing wrong with liste too your boss in your career, teacher,family friends.However it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-is-nothing-wrong-with-listen-too-people-on-things-nothing-wrong/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [The perpetrators of the actual bad stuff that does real and lasting harm to people, like leakage of industrial chemicals into water systems, seem…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/the-perpetrators-of-the-actual-bad-stuff-that-does-real-and-lasting/)

[Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/)

> [People say I'm that and that, They may destroy my image but no matter what, it cause no harm for me, because still some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/precious-pano/people-say-i-m-that-and-that-they-may-destroy-my-image-but-no-matter/)

Precious Pano

## More by James Tupper

> [I struggled and I did theater for 10 years, for 15 years, I tried to get little parts here and there in TV shows.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-tupper/i-struggled-and-i-did-theater-for-10-years-for-15-years-i-tried-to/)

[James Tupper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-tupper/)

> [Frankly, I see myself as a bit of a clown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-tupper/frankly-i-see-myself-as-a-bit-of-a-clown/)

[James Tupper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-tupper/)

> [I went to drama school.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-tupper/i-went-to-drama-school/)

[James Tupper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-tupper/)

> [I always imagine babies crying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-tupper/i-always-imagine-babies-crying/)

[James Tupper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-tupper/)

> [I've done a lot of different characters, but people never recognize me. I'm not joking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-tupper/i-ve-done-a-lot-of-different-characters-but-people-never-recognize-me/)

[James Tupper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-tupper/)

> [Suddenly, relationships go topsy-turvy, and guys often don't understand what's going on. I think a lot of men are in that boat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-tupper/suddenly-relationships-go-topsy-turvy-and-guys-often-don-t-understand/)

[James Tupper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-tupper/)

> [If you get to participate with a group of artists and make something that's really truthful, that's about the highest you can go, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-tupper/if-you-get-to-participate-with-a-group-of-artists-and-make-something/)

[James Tupper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-tupper/)

> [I got really into 'North of 60,' and I'll still watch reruns of 'Da Vinci's Inquest.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-tupper/i-got-really-into-north-of-60-and-i-ll-still-watch-reruns-of-da-vinci/)

[James Tupper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-tupper/)

> [I grew up in Nova Scotia, and my uncle lived close to the Bay of Fundy. We would walk across the mud flats out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-tupper/i-grew-up-in-nova-scotia-and-my-uncle-lived-close-to-the-bay-of-fundy/)

[James Tupper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-tupper/)

> [I will watch football or baseball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-tupper/i-will-watch-football-or-baseball/)

[James Tupper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-tupper/)

> [I have my mountain man moments like hiking in the woods.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-tupper/i-have-my-mountain-man-moments-like-hiking-in-the-woods/)

[James Tupper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-tupper/)

> [Animals have a very clear spirit, and they are so open to the world around them that they can easily be mistreated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-tupper/animals-have-a-very-clear-spirit-and-they-are-so-open-to-the-world/)

[James Tupper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-tupper/)

> [There's something really comforting when you can truly connect with someone and be understood. Isn't that what we all want?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-tupper/there-s-something-really-comforting-when-you-can-truly-connect-with/)

[James Tupper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-tupper/)

> [I've watched people in these movies like Bradley Cooper in 'Yes Man' become these giant stars themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-tupper/i-ve-watched-people-in-these-movies-like-bradley-cooper-in-yes-man/)

[James Tupper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-tupper/)

> [Do you know I'm a sex symbol?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-tupper/do-you-know-i-m-a-sex-symbol/)

[James Tupper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-tupper/)

[Explore all 39 James Tupper quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-tupper/)

## More Good quotes

> [When I came to Chelsea, it was clear that, like many other players, I would first be loaned out. So I went to Belgium…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thorgan-hazard/when-i-came-to-chelsea-it-was-clear-that-like-many-other-players-i/)

[Thorgan Hazard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thorgan-hazard/)

> [Today I didn't even have to even use my A.K ! I got to say it was a good day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ice-cube/today-i-didn-t-even-have-to-even-use-my-a-k-i-got-to-say-it-was-a/)

[Ice Cube](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ice-cube/)

> [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/)

[Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/)

> [If you want to edit your photos and make yourself look different, go for it. That is up to you, but in my opinion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peyton-list/if-you-want-to-edit-your-photos-and-make-yourself-look-different-go/)

[Peyton List](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peyton-list/)

> [I met Rajini sir after 'Jigarthanda,' and he said he liked my film. He told me I could approach him whenever I had a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karthik-subbaraj/i-met-rajini-sir-after-jigarthanda-and-he-said-he-liked-my-film-he/)

[Karthik Subbaraj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karthik-subbaraj/)

> [I have really good lateral movement. I've always had quick lateral movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-rivers/i-have-really-good-lateral-movement-i-ve-always-had-quick-lateral/)

[Austin Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-rivers/)

> [Sometimes I'm in a bad mood, sometimes I'm in a good mood. It's like everyone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tricky/sometimes-i-m-in-a-bad-mood-sometimes-i-m-in-a-good-mood-it-s-like/)

[Tricky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tricky/)

> [Eric Clapton's scales - when he comes off a high note and it's time for a refrain or a little bit of a rest,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-rea/eric-clapton-s-scales-when-he-comes-off-a-high-note-and-it-s-time-for/)

[Chris Rea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-rea/)

> [I studied all kinds of dance, all types of music. I got good grades. I started hitting the recording studio around 13.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-derulo/i-studied-all-kinds-of-dance-all-types-of-music-i-got-good-grades-i/)

[Jason Derulo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-derulo/)

> [Everybody has their cliques, and I was very shy. I'm still very shy. Music opened up doors. I would get to my choir class,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-fonsi/everybody-has-their-cliques-and-i-was-very-shy-i-m-still-very-shy/)

[Luis Fonsi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-fonsi/)

> [My only close-to-game-plan is to follow good writing. If the writing is in TV or if it's in theater or in film, that's it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-driver/my-only-close-to-game-plan-is-to-follow-good-writing-if-the-writing/)

[Adam Driver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-driver/)

> [The Derby experience had not been good for me and the way it finished left a very bad taste in my mouth so I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-pearson/the-derby-experience-had-not-been-good-for-me-and-the-way-it-finished/)

[Nigel Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-pearson/)

> [I think I am against stereotype. Generally, Asian guys are more quiet - they study and have a good work ethic. Generally, I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-lee/i-think-i-am-against-stereotype-generally-asian-guys-are-more-quiet/)

[Bobby Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-lee/)

> [I ask for tips, for advice. What I have also learnt is that I need to do things that are good for me. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthijs-de-ligt/i-ask-for-tips-for-advice-what-i-have-also-learnt-is-that-i-need-to/)

[Matthijs de Ligt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthijs-de-ligt/)

> [I thought I fought a really good Orlando Salido. I never let him get into his fight. I knew what I needed to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikey-garcia/i-thought-i-fought-a-really-good-orlando-salido-i-never-let-him-get/)

[Mikey Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikey-garcia/)

Browse all 40,882 Good quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "When you think you're a really good person, you're actually capable of doing some real harm to people, either knowingly or unknowingly. It's the big little lie that we all live in.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "James Tupper"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-tupper/when-you-think-you-re-a-really-good-person-you-re-actually-capable-of/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Good"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-tupper/when-you-think-you-re-a-really-good-person-you-re-actually-capable-of/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/james-tupper-16470_good_when-you-think-you-re-a-really-good-pers_21361.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/james-tupper-16470_good_when-you-think-you-re-a-really-good-pers_21361.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/james-tupper-16470_good_when-you-think-you-re-a-really-good-pers_21361.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“When you think you're a really good person, you're actually capable of doing some real harm to people…” — James Tupper",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "James Tupper",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-tupper/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "When you think you're a really...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-tupper/when-you-think-you-re-a-really-good-person-you-re-actually-capable-of/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-tupper/when-you-think-you-re-a-really-good-person-you-re-actually-capable-of/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
