---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Furthermore, the most popular modern…"
description: "\"“Furthermore, the most popular modern answer to the question of what it means to be a good person is to be kind. Do not make other people suffer. If it..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/367/peter-kreeft-820_character_furthermore-the-most-popular-modern-answ_951647.jpg"
---

#  Furthermore, the most popular modern answer to the…

![“Furthermore, the most popular modern answer to the question of what it means to be a good person is to be kind. Do not make other people suffer. If it doesn’t hurt anyone, it’s O.K. By this standard, God is not good it he lets us suffer. But by ancient standards, God might be good even though he…” quote by Peter Kreeft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/367/peter-kreeft-820_character_furthermore-the-most-popular-modern-answ_951647.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/367/peter-kreeft-820_character_furthermore-the-most-popular-modern-answ_951647.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/367/peter-kreeft-820_character_furthermore-the-most-popular-modern-answ_951647.jpg)

> ““Furthermore, the most popular modern answer to the question of what it means to be a good person is to be kind. Do not make other people suffer. If it doesn’t hurt anyone, it’s O.K. By this standard, God is not good it he lets us suffer. But by ancient standards, God might be good even though he lets us suffer, if he does it for the sake of the greater end of happiness, perfection of life and character and soul, that is, self.””

[Peter Kreeft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-kreeft/)

## 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 judged by kindness and avoidance of causing suffering; modern views see this as sufficient, while ancient views allow suffering for a higher purpose.

**In simple terms:** Being kind and not causing harm defines goodness today; ancient views permit suffering for greater good.

Key Takeaway

Consider the balance between kindness and higher purpose.

Themes

ethics philosophy theology

Mood

thoughtful reflective

Type

ethical philosophical

When to use this quote

- personal relationships
- policy making
- education
- community leadership

Key Concepts

utilitarianism teleology theodicy

Questions to Reflect On

- What higher purposes justify suffering?
- How do we balance kindness with greater good?

A Different Perspective

Modern emphasis on immediate kindness may ignore long‑term moral goals.

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[Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [God Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-good/) [Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good/) [Good person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-person/) [Means Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/means-good/) [Standards God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/standards-god-1701093/)

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