--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I don’t mind people going about…" description: "\"“I don’t mind people going about unobtrusively doing good, but I can’t stomach moral indignation.”\" — Kate Ross" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/06f/kate-ross-42083_doing-good_i-don-t-mind-people-going-about-unobtrus_2638272.png" --- # I don’t mind people going about unobtrusively doing good… ![“I don’t mind people going about unobtrusively doing good, but I can’t stomach moral indignation.” quote by Kate Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/06f/kate-ross-42083_doing-good_i-don-t-mind-people-going-about-unobtrus_2638272.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/06f/kate-ross-42083_doing-good_i-don-t-mind-people-going-about-unobtrus_2638272.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/06f/kate-ross-42083_doing-good_i-don-t-mind-people-going-about-unobtrus_2638272.png) > ““I don’t mind people going about unobtrusively doing good, but I can’t stomach moral indignation.”” [Kate Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-ross/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People often appreciate quiet good deeds but dislike overt moral outrage. **In simple terms:** Quiet good deeds are valued; moral outrage is disliked. Key Takeaway Accept modest kindness, avoid self‑righteousness. Themes humility morality social behavior Mood reflective balanced Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - personal relationships - community service - online discourse - political activism Key Concepts ethical modestism public perception Questions to Reflect On - When have you judged someone for being too outspoken? - How can you support good deeds without sounding self‑righteous? A Different Perspective Moral indignation can alienate allies and hinder constructive dialogue. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Doing good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doing-good/) [Moral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral/) [Moral indignation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral-indignation/) ## Related quotes > [The vehemence of my moral indignation surprised me. Was I beginning to have standards and principles, and, oh dear, scruples? What were they, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elaine-dundy/the-vehemence-of-my-moral-indignation-surprised-me-was-i-beginning-to/) [Elaine Dundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elaine-dundy/) > [In its sentimental mode, compassion is an exercise in moral indignation, in feeling good rather than doing good ... In its unsentimental mode, compassion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-himmelfarb/in-its-sentimental-mode-compassion-is-an-exercise-in-moral/) [Gertrude Himmelfarb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-himmelfarb/) > [There is perhaps no phenomenon which contains so much destructive feeling as moral indignation, which permits envy or to be acted out under the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/there-is-perhaps-no-phenomenon-which-contains-so-much-destructive/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [Moral indignation in most cases is, 2% moral, 48% indignation, and 50% envy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vittorio-de-sica/moral-indignation-in-most-cases-is-2-moral-48-indignation-and-50-envy/) Vittorio De Sica > [It has been said that the historian is the avenger, and that standing as a judge between the parties and rivalries and causes of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-butterfield/it-has-been-said-that-the-historian-is-the-avenger-and-that-standing/) [Herbert Butterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-butterfield/) > [They look for a victim to chivy, and howl him down, and finally lynch him in a sheer storm of sexual frenzy which they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aleister-crowley/they-look-for-a-victim-to-chivy-and-howl-him-down-and-finally-lynch/) [Aleister Crowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aleister-crowley/) > [Moral indignation is a technique used to endow the idiot with dignity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-mcluhan/moral-indignation-is-a-technique-used-to-endow-the-idiot-with-dignity/) [Marshall McLuhan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-mcluhan/) > [What I admire most in any man is a serene spirit, a steady freedom from moral indignation, and all-embracing tolerance--in brief,what is commonly called…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/what-i-admire-most-in-any-man-is-a-serene-spirit-a-steady-freedom/) [H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/) > [From Britain's point of view the 1939 war had been a liberal war which had been entered into in a condition of moral indignation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-cowling/from-britain-s-point-of-view-the-1939-war-had-been-a-liberal-war/) [Maurice Cowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-cowling/) > [“Late-sleeping Utopians, especially, persist like mercury. I am a fanatic myself, although not a woman of temperament. I get nervous at scenes. I stole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renata-adler/late-sleeping-utopians-especially-persist-like-mercury-i-am-a-fanatic/) [Renata Adler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renata-adler/) > [In a fashion similar to the leftist occupiers on Wall Street, their antics would be the target of rabid moral indignation on the front…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-glazov/in-a-fashion-similar-to-the-leftist-occupiers-on-wall-street-their/) [Jamie Glazov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-glazov/) > [Moral indignation is one of the most harmful forces in the modern world, the more so as it can always be diverted to sinister…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/moral-indignation-is-one-of-the-most-harmful-forces-in-the-modern/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [The Statist veils his pursuits in moral indignation, intoning in high dudgeon the injustices and inequities of liberty and life itself, for which only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-levin/the-statist-veils-his-pursuits-in-moral-indignation-intoning-in-high/) [Mark Levin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-levin/) > [Camp is a solvent of morality. It neutralizes moral indignation, sponsors playfulness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-sontag/camp-is-a-solvent-of-morality-it-neutralizes-moral-indignation/) [Susan Sontag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-sontag/) > [moral indignation is a pleasure, often the only pleasure, in many lives. It's also one of the few pleasures people feel obliged to force…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-holland/moral-indignation-is-a-pleasure-often-the-only-pleasure-in-many-lives/) [Barbara Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-holland/) ## More by Kate Ross > [“I highly recommend cleanliness. It pleases women and annoys men, which are two excellent ways to get on in society.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-ross/i-highly-recommend-cleanliness-it-pleases-women-and-annoys-men-which/) [Kate Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-ross/) > [“Do you deny it?” Grimani persisted. “That you went to Marchese Rinaldo's room to ask him about your notebook?” “Deny it? Only the greatest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-ross/do-you-deny-it-grimani-persisted-that-you-went-to-marchese-rinaldo-s/) [Kate Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-ross/) > [He was not going to be dragged into other people´s business. He was going to plunge in headfirst.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-ross/he-was-not-going-to-be-dragged-into-other-people-s-business-he-was/) [Kate Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-ross/) > [I always think boredom is to some extent the fault of the bored.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-ross/i-always-think-boredom-is-to-some-extent-the-fault-of-the-bored/) [Kate Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-ross/) > [Do you deny it?" Grimani persisted. Deny it? Only the greatest self-restraint prevents me from laughing it out of countenance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-ross/do-you-deny-it-grimani-persisted-deny-it-only-the-greatest-self/) [Kate Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-ross/) > [You're much better than fireworks. They're all over in a moment, and you're going to stay for a fortnight. Besides, fireworks are noisy, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-ross/you-re-much-better-than-fireworks-they-re-all-over-in-a-moment-and/) [Kate Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-ross/) > [“Modesty alone doesn’t prove a man a hero. But it’s incontrovertible that immodesty makes him a bore.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-ross/modesty-alone-doesn-t-prove-a-man-a-hero-but-it-s-incontrovertible/) [Kate Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-ross/) > [“I think you’re extremely rude! And you’re doing it on purpose!” “Of course. One should never be rude except on purpose.” …”Why?” …”Because one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-ross/i-think-you-re-extremely-rude-and-you-re-doing-it-on-purpose-of/) [Kate Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-ross/) > [“I try to be interested in very nearly everything. I always think boredom is to some extent the fault of the bored.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-ross/i-try-to-be-interested-in-very-nearly-everything-i-always-think/) [Kate Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-ross/) [Explore all 10 Kate Ross quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-ross/) ## More Doing good quotes > [There's nothing like getting feedback that's positive and supportive. That's what I'm all about. I'm really just genuinely doing good music. I'm not looking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tiffany-villarreal/there-s-nothing-like-getting-feedback-that-s-positive-and-supportive/) [Tiffany Villarreal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tiffany-villarreal/) > [As for doing good; that is one of the professions which is full. Moreover I have tried it fairly and, strange as it may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/as-for-doing-good-that-is-one-of-the-professions-which-is-full/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [When things are going bad that does not mean God has stopped doing good It's mean He is shifting things around you to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christianquotes/when-things-are-going-bad-that-does-not-mean-god-has-stopped-doing/) ChristianQuotes > [“doing good required taking risks.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-dekker/doing-good-required-taking-risks/) [Ted Dekker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-dekker/) > [NGOs have a complicated space in neoliberal politics. They are supposed to mop up the anger. Even when they are doing good work, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arundhati-roy/ngos-have-a-complicated-space-in-neoliberal-politics-they-are/) [Arundhati Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arundhati-roy/) > [“Rich and famous and doing good," mused Schlichtmann. "Rich isn't so difficult. Famous isn't so difficult. Rich and famous together aren't so difficult. Rich,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-harr/rich-and-famous-and-doing-good-mused-schlichtmann-rich-isn-t-so/) Jonathan Harr > [There is only one way of not hating those who do us wrong, and that is by doing them good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-frederic-amiel/there-is-only-one-way-of-not-hating-those-who-do-us-wrong-and-that-is/) [Henri Frederic Amiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-frederic-amiel/) > [“What is an artist? For every thousand people there's nine hundred doing the work, ninety doing well, nine doing good, and one lucky bastard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/what-is-an-artist-for-every-thousand-people-there-s-nine-hundred/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [Being a good person is appreciable. But doing good things in life is what shows others who really you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/being-a-good-person-is-appreciable-but-doing-good-things-in-life-is/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [As long as any one has the means of doing good to his neighbours, and does not do so, he shall be reckoned a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irenaeus-of-lyons/as-long-as-any-one-has-the-means-of-doing-good-to-his-neighbours-and/) [Irenaeus of Lyons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irenaeus-of-lyons/) > [My mum supported me after she saw I was doing good in weightlifting, I was able to get a scholarship, I was able to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hidilyn-diaz/my-mum-supported-me-after-she-saw-i-was-doing-good-in-weightlifting-i/) [Hidilyn Diaz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hidilyn-diaz/) > [We've always tried to convey these strong messages of strength and power and doing good in the world and, at the same time, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-halford/we-ve-always-tried-to-convey-these-strong-messages-of-strength-and/) [Rob Halford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-halford/) > [The pulpit only "teaches" to be honest; the market-place "trains" to overreaching and fraud; and teaching has not a tithe of the efficiency of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/the-pulpit-only-teaches-to-be-honest-the-market-place-trains-to/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) > [We are not to preach the doing of good things; good deeds are not to be preached, they are to be performed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oswald-chambers/we-are-not-to-preach-the-doing-of-good-things-good-deeds-are-not-to/) [Oswald Chambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oswald-chambers/) > [Even if everyone elseIs not doing good,I alone will.Even if everyone elseis doing wrong,I alone will not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gautama-buddha/even-if-everyone-elseis-not-doing-good-i-alone-will-even-if-everyone/) [Gautama Buddha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gautama-buddha/) [Browse all 783 Doing good quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doing-good/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I don’t mind people going about unobtrusively doing good, but I can’t stomach moral indignation.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Kate Ross" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-ross/i-don-t-mind-people-going-about-unobtrusively-doing-good-but-i-can-t/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Doing good" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-ross/i-don-t-mind-people-going-about-unobtrusively-doing-good-but-i-can-t/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/06f/kate-ross-42083_doing-good_i-don-t-mind-people-going-about-unobtrus_2638272.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/06f/kate-ross-42083_doing-good_i-don-t-mind-people-going-about-unobtrus_2638272.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/06f/kate-ross-42083_doing-good_i-don-t-mind-people-going-about-unobtrus_2638272.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I don’t mind people going about unobtrusively doing good, but I can’t stomach moral indignation.” — Kate Ross", "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": "Kate Ross", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-ross/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“I don’t mind people going about...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-ross/i-don-t-mind-people-going-about-unobtrusively-doing-good-but-i-can-t/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-ross/i-don-t-mind-people-going-about-unobtrusively-doing-good-but-i-can-t/#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 } } ] } ```