Good deeds Quote by Søren Kierkegaard
““Do not fly so high with your decisions that you forget that a decision is but a beginning. How wretched and miserable it is to find in a person many good intentions but few good deeds. And there are other dangers too, dangers of sin. With all your good intentions, you must not forget your duty, neither should you forget to do it with joy. And strive to carry your burdens and responsibilities in a surrendered way. If you don’t, there is a danger of losing your decisiveness; of going through life without courage and fading away in death.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Either/Or, 1843
Decisions are beginnings; good intentions need joyful action, otherwise duty fades and courage wanes.
In simple terms: Start decisions with joy; act on intentions.
Key Takeaway
Act joyfully on duties to maintain courage.
Themes
responsibility
intentionality
spirituality
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- career choices
- personal projects
- volunteer work
Key Concepts
existentialism
ethical duty
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you infuse joy into responsibilities?
- What supports sustain your decisiveness?
A Different Perspective
Joyful action can be hard when burdened.
