--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Being a 'good man' is something you do…" description: "\"Being a 'good man' is something you do, not something you are.\" — Luvvie Ajayi" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da5/luvvie-ajayi-9026_being_being-a-good-man-is-something-you-do-not_1761261.jpg" --- # Being a 'good man' is something you do, not something you… ![“Being a 'good man' is something you do, not something you are.” quote by Luvvie Ajayi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da5/luvvie-ajayi-9026_being_being-a-good-man-is-something-you-do-not_1761261.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da5/luvvie-ajayi-9026_being_being-a-good-man-is-something-you-do-not_1761261.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da5/luvvie-ajayi-9026_being_being-a-good-man-is-something-you-do-not_1761261.jpg) > “Being a 'good man' is something you do, not something you are.” [Luvvie Ajayi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luvvie-ajayi/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Goodness is defined by actions, not innate identity. **In simple terms:** Being good is about what you do. Key Takeaway Focus on deeds, not labels. Themes ethics behavior identity Mood reflective inspirational Type ethical motivational When to use this quote - volunteering - leadership - daily interactions - community service Key Concepts moral philosophy self-improvement Questions to Reflect On - How do you measure your actions? - What habits reflect your values? A Different Perspective Actions can be misinterpreted as virtue without intent. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) [Good man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-man/) [Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man/) ## Related quotes > [For a man, there's a big responsibility that comes with having a boy because men are made by their fathers. 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It's a number.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julio-jones/me-personally-i-don-t-really-care-about-as-far-as-being-the-highest/) [Julio Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julio-jones/) > [As long as a man's heart beats, as long as a man's flesh quivers, I do not allow that a being gifted with thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jules-verne/as-long-as-a-man-s-heart-beats-as-long-as-a-man-s-flesh-quivers-i-do/) [Jules Verne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jules-verne/) > [I just enjoy being around fans, man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-roberts/i-just-enjoy-being-around-fans-man/) [Jake Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-roberts/) ## More by Luvvie Ajayi > [In a world that wants women to whisper, I choose to yell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luvvie-ajayi/in-a-world-that-wants-women-to-whisper-i-choose-to-yell/) [Luvvie Ajayi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luvvie-ajayi/) > [There are two types of people in this world: people who can be on time and Nigerians. I am in the latter group, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luvvie-ajayi/there-are-two-types-of-people-in-this-world-people-who-can-be-on-time/) [Luvvie Ajayi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luvvie-ajayi/) > [I am of the bridge generation that remembers life before social media permeated everything but cannot imagine life without it now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luvvie-ajayi/i-am-of-the-bridge-generation-that-remembers-life-before-social-media/) [Luvvie Ajayi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luvvie-ajayi/) > [If a brand will shy away from you because you dare to say that black lives matter, that's probably not a brand you want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luvvie-ajayi/if-a-brand-will-shy-away-from-you-because-you-dare-to-say-that-black/) [Luvvie Ajayi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luvvie-ajayi/) > [Shoes are my love language, and women love shoes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luvvie-ajayi/shoes-are-my-love-language-and-women-love-shoes/) [Luvvie Ajayi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luvvie-ajayi/) > [Working 16-hour days to ensure that I can pay my bills has been a bulk of my entrepreneurship life. 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I am enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luvvie-ajayi/i-am-not-the-best-i-don-t-have-to-be-i-am-enough/) [Luvvie Ajayi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luvvie-ajayi/) > [“When your empire grows out of soil fertilized with the blood of a people, it must sustain its power with their continued bloodshed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luvvie-ajayi/when-your-empire-grows-out-of-soil-fertilized-with-the-blood-of-a/) [Luvvie Ajayi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luvvie-ajayi/) > [If we don't challenge each other to use our platforms for better than our niches or what our quote-unquote brand is, what are we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luvvie-ajayi/if-we-don-t-challenge-each-other-to-use-our-platforms-for-better-than/) [Luvvie Ajayi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luvvie-ajayi/) > [“When keeping Black and brown people marginalized literally elevates white people, as they use our backs as stairs, why would they want us to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luvvie-ajayi/when-keeping-black-and-brown-people-marginalized-literally-elevates/) [Luvvie Ajayi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luvvie-ajayi/) > [When I set out to write 'I'm Judging You,' I wanted to create something that was both timely and timeless. But I didn't know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luvvie-ajayi/when-i-set-out-to-write-i-m-judging-you-i-wanted-to-create-something/) [Luvvie Ajayi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luvvie-ajayi/) > [Fire Yourself. Outsource some of your life. Because you know what won't be cute on a tombstone? 'Her grind was impeccable, and she did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luvvie-ajayi/fire-yourself-outsource-some-of-your-life-because-you-know-what-won-t/) [Luvvie Ajayi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luvvie-ajayi/) > [Chicago's one of the most segregated cities in America. Everybody lives in their own silos and vacuums.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luvvie-ajayi/chicago-s-one-of-the-most-segregated-cities-in-america-everybody/) [Luvvie Ajayi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luvvie-ajayi/) > [I wish people were realer in talking about how leaps of faith don't have to be taken without at least looking down first.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luvvie-ajayi/i-wish-people-were-realer-in-talking-about-how-leaps-of-faith-don-t/) [Luvvie Ajayi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luvvie-ajayi/) [Explore all 76 Luvvie Ajayi quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luvvie-ajayi/) ## More Being quotes > [Because of the womb being a central phenomenon in the feminine body, the whole psychology of woman differs: she is non-aggressive, non-inquiring, non-questioning, non-doubting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/because-of-the-womb-being-a-central-phenomenon-in-the-feminine-body/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [I love being in Malibu. It's so cool there, and the water is just, it's nice and, and I love the beach. And I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-evancho/i-love-being-in-malibu-it-s-so-cool-there-and-the-water-is-just-it-s/) [Jackie Evancho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-evancho/) > [I talk to my mates about our kids, being too tired and being worn out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-willoughby/i-talk-to-my-mates-about-our-kids-being-too-tired-and-being-worn-out/) [Holly Willoughby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-willoughby/) > [I love to fish. I love the peacefulness of being around the water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evonne-goolagong-cawley/i-love-to-fish-i-love-the-peacefulness-of-being-around-the-water/) [Evonne Goolagong Cawley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evonne-goolagong-cawley/) > [When you're in your twenties and starting out, the problem is that you care about being cool. Being older, I can care less about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-righton/when-you-re-in-your-twenties-and-starting-out-the-problem-is-that-you/) [James Righton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-righton/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [Being a new mother is a blessing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phaedra-parks/being-a-new-mother-is-a-blessing/) [Phaedra Parks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phaedra-parks/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [If we accept being talked to any kind of a way, then we are telling ourselves we are not quite worth the best. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/if-we-accept-being-talked-to-any-kind-of-a-way-then-we-are-telling/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [Having small children and being an investigative reporter would seem like a difficult mix, but it worked well for me. I was often working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-abramson/having-small-children-and-being-an-investigative-reporter-would-seem/) [Jill Abramson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-abramson/) > [I am just enjoying the dream of being Milan coach at the age of 40.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennaro-gattuso/i-am-just-enjoying-the-dream-of-being-milan-coach-at-the-age-of-40/) [Gennaro Gattuso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennaro-gattuso/) > [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) > [We should not live in fear, we should all enjoy being able to express our views freely and openly, challenge each other on issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tan-cheng-bock/we-should-not-live-in-fear-we-should-all-enjoy-being-able-to-express/) [Tan Cheng Bock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tan-cheng-bock/) [Browse all 18,139 Being quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Being a 'good man' is something you do, not something you are.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Luvvie Ajayi" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luvvie-ajayi/being-a-good-man-is-something-you-do-not-something-you-are/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Being" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luvvie-ajayi/being-a-good-man-is-something-you-do-not-something-you-are/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da5/luvvie-ajayi-9026_being_being-a-good-man-is-something-you-do-not_1761261.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da5/luvvie-ajayi-9026_being_being-a-good-man-is-something-you-do-not_1761261.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da5/luvvie-ajayi-9026_being_being-a-good-man-is-something-you-do-not_1761261.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Being a 'good man' is something you do, not something you are.” — Luvvie Ajayi", "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": "Luvvie Ajayi", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luvvie-ajayi/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Being a 'good man' is something...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luvvie-ajayi/being-a-good-man-is-something-you-do-not-something-you-are/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luvvie-ajayi/being-a-good-man-is-something-you-do-not-something-you-are/#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 } } ] } ```