---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What makes a man a man are his deeds, his…"
description: "\"What makes a man a man are his deeds, his responsibilities, and his reactions... These things are also what makes a man a monster.\" — Shannon Delany"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a4f/shannon-delany-19075_deeds_what-makes-a-man-a-man-are-his-deeds-his_1248193.jpg"
---

#  What makes a man a man are his deeds, his…

![“What makes a man a man are his deeds, his responsibilities, and his reactions... These things are also what makes a man a monster.” quote by Shannon Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a4f/shannon-delany-19075_deeds_what-makes-a-man-a-man-are-his-deeds-his_1248193.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a4f/shannon-delany-19075_deeds_what-makes-a-man-a-man-are-his-deeds-his_1248193.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a4f/shannon-delany-19075_deeds_what-makes-a-man-a-man-are-his-deeds-his_1248193.jpg)

> “What makes a man a man are his deeds, his responsibilities, and his reactions... These things are also what makes a man a monster.”

[Shannon Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-delany/)

## About This Quote

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

A man's identity is defined by his actions, duties, and responses, which can also turn him into a monster if misused.

**In simple terms:** Deeds, duties, reactions shape a man and can become monstrous.

Key Takeaway

Reflect on how choices shape character.

Themes

identity morality responsibility duality

Mood

thoughtful serious

Type

philosophical reflective

When to use this quote

- leadership
- parenting
- conflict resolution
- personal growth

Key Concepts

ethics human nature self‑control

Questions to Reflect On

- What responsibilities do you prioritize?
- How do you guard against becoming what you oppose?

A Different Perspective

Even noble deeds can mask harmful intent if not examined.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deeds/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Monster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/monster/) [Monsters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/monsters/) [Responsibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/responsibility/)

## Related quotes

> [“You show me how much you don’t know. He is more than a man. He is a monster.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-fanetti/you-show-me-how-much-you-don-t-know-he-is-more-than-a-man-he-is-a/)

[Susan Fanetti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-fanetti/)

> [“So intertwined are the lines of man and monster, let no one tamper with this fragile connectedness. For though they may seem a threat,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-stuart-marlowe/so-intertwined-are-the-lines-of-man-and-monster-let-no-one-tamper/)

E. Stuart Marlowe

> [Men do monstrous things but if you call a man a monster you have absolved yourself of blame. You don't have to think that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-ness/men-do-monstrous-things-but-if-you-call-a-man-a-monster-you-have/)

[Patrick Ness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-ness/)

> [“Just as from dust is evolved the man, from the deeds which he does is evolved the higher man.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/compton-gage/just-as-from-dust-is-evolved-the-man-from-the-deeds-which-he-does-is/)

[Compton Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/compton-gage/)

> [I used to take on trust a man's deeds after having listened to his words. Now having listened to a man's words I go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/i-used-to-take-on-trust-a-man-s-deeds-after-having-listened-to-his/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [“No one can destroy a man than his deeds.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/no-one-can-destroy-a-man-than-his-deeds/)

[Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/)

> [A man's deeds shape and mould his spirit, for better or worse, according to his deeds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senoraroy/a-man-s-deeds-shape-and-mould-his-spirit-for-better-or-worse/)

Senoraroy

> [“No man lives, can live, without having some object in view, and making efforts to attain that object. But when object there is none,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoyevsky/no-man-lives-can-live-without-having-some-object-in-view-and-making-2/)

[Fyodor Dostoyevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoyevsky/)

> [When he has lost all hope, all object in life, man becomes a monster in his misery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoevsky/when-he-has-lost-all-hope-all-object-in-life-man-becomes-a-monster-in/)

[Fyodor Dostoevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoevsky/)

> [To make Michael Myers frightening, I had him walk like a man, not a monster.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-carpenter/to-make-michael-myers-frightening-i-had-him-walk-like-a-man-not-a/)

[John Carpenter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-carpenter/)

> [“For if a man can become a monster, then surely a monster can become a man.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dark-shadows/for-if-a-man-can-become-a-monster-then-surely-a-monster-can-become-a/)

Dark Shadows

> [“We know that--all that. It's not us, it's the bank. A bank isn't like a man. Or an owner with fifty thousand acres, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/we-know-that-all-that-it-s-not-us-it-s-the-bank-a-bank-isn-t-like-a/)

[John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/)

> [The great doing of little things, makes the great life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugenia-price/the-great-doing-of-little-things-makes-the-great-life/)

[Eugenia Price](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugenia-price/)

> [2 things if it makes you happy Do it if it dosent then dont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/2-things-if-it-makes-you-happy-do-it-if-it-dosent-then-dont/)

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

> [That's what a writer does; they make things up and that makes for good reading.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debbie-reynolds/that-s-what-a-writer-does-they-make-things-up-and-that-makes-for-good/)

[Debbie Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debbie-reynolds/)

## More by Shannon Delany

> [“Beauty's only skin deep. Everybody has ugly days. We're all made of the same stuff underneath. Acting right is better than looking right. Realize…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-delany/beauty-s-only-skin-deep-everybody-has-ugly-days-we-re-all-made-of-the/)

[Shannon Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-delany/)

> [“Yes. Da ,' I corrected. 'Say it again.' 'What?"' His voice grew husky as he repeated his request. 'Say yes— in Russian —again.' I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-delany/yes-da-i-corrected-say-it-again-what-his-voice-grew-husky-as-he/)

[Shannon Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-delany/)

> [Just because you're damaged doesn't mean you must damage others. You have choices. We all make them every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-delany/just-because-you-re-damaged-doesn-t-mean-you-must-damage-others-you/)

[Shannon Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-delany/)

> [“They're monsters." "That's what Edward thought." "Oh, yeah? He a friend of yours?" "No, Miss Librarian. Just a main character in a wildly popular…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-delany/they-re-monsters-that-s-what-edward-thought-oh-yeah-he-a-friend-of/)

[Shannon Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-delany/)

> [“Snagging the ball from Pietr, Derek leaned in and snapped, “What? You think you’re a bad-ass because you’ve got a tattoo?” Derek body-checked Pietr…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-delany/snagging-the-ball-from-pietr-derek-leaned-in-and-snapped-what-you/)

[Shannon Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-delany/)

> [“Gucci made sweatsuits their brand would have been boldly stitched across Sarah’s boobs and butt. Money might as well have been Sarah Luxom’s middle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-delany/gucci-made-sweatsuits-their-brand-would-have-been-boldly-stitched/)

[Shannon Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-delany/)

> [“Get the Girl," he demanded. "She knows too much!" Dammit. Why did people keep presuming that, and if it was true, why the hell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-delany/get-the-girl-he-demanded-she-knows-too-much-dammit-why-did-people/)

[Shannon Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-delany/)

> [“... I don't think we get too many choices in life… I like knowing - and I like you knowing - I chose you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-delany/i-don-t-think-we-get-too-many-choices-in-life-i-like-knowing-and-i/)

[Shannon Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-delany/)

> [“He rrraped herrr,” the beast within him shrieked from deep in his gut, shaking everything but my resolve. Pietr stepped back, putting his hands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-delany/he-rrraped-herrr-the-beast-within-him-shrieked-from-deep-in-his-gut/)

[Shannon Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-delany/)

> [“Stupid heart, Stupid Girl!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-delany/stupid-heart-stupid-girl/)

[Shannon Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-delany/)

> [“Some moments I believed Max could've easily been Red Riding Hood's wolf. But she probably would have liked it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-delany/some-moments-i-believed-max-could-ve-easily-been-red-riding-hood-s/)

[Shannon Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-delany/)

> [“Sometimes we do not know what role we play until it is thrust upon us and we can only then do our best to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-delany/sometimes-we-do-not-know-what-role-we-play-until-it-is-thrust-upon-us/)

[Shannon Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-delany/)

> [“Time was short, as Pietr so frequently reminded me. Maybe we all needed to live fiercely. And love courageously.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-delany/time-was-short-as-pietr-so-frequently-reminded-me-maybe-we-all-needed/)

[Shannon Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-delany/)

> [“Great party, Max!' Amy congratulated. Marvin hung back, watching their exchange. 'Anything for Jessie,' Max muttered, but his eyes were completely on Amy. Amy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-delany/great-party-max-amy-congratulated-marvin-hung-back-watching-their/)

[Shannon Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-delany/)

> [“Holy Hell! That was totally badass”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-delany/holy-hell-that-was-totally-badass/)

[Shannon Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-delany/)

[Explore all 33 Shannon Delany quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-delany/)

## More Deeds quotes

> [If ever I did a man any goodof course it was something exceptional and insignificant compared with the good or evil which I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/if-ever-i-did-a-man-any-goodof-course-it-was-something-exceptional/)

[Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/)

> [When Allah puts barakah (His blessings) in something, it will come beyond your expectations- never underestimate the power of one good deed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nouman-ali-khan/when-allah-puts-barakah-his-blessings-in-something-it-will-come/)

[Nouman Ali Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nouman-ali-khan/)

> [Time often serves to justify a deed which seems at first unjustifiable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-p-ryan/time-often-serves-to-justify-a-deed-which-seems-at-first-unjustifiable/)

Donald P. Ryan

> [When deeds speak, words are nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-joseph-proudhon/when-deeds-speak-words-are-nothing/)

[Pierre-Joseph Proudhon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-joseph-proudhon/)

> [Somehow, what's in our hearts, good or bad is eventually translated into words and deeds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stanley/somehow-what-s-in-our-hearts-good-or-bad-is-eventually-translated/)

[Andy Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stanley/)

> [Honest people don't hide their deeds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-bronte/honest-people-don-t-hide-their-deeds/)

[Emily Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-bronte/)

> [Mechanical instruments, potentially a vehicle of rational human purposes, are scarcely a blessing when they enable the gossip of the village idiot and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-mumford/mechanical-instruments-potentially-a-vehicle-of-rational-human/)

[Lewis Mumford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-mumford/)

> [Tis e'er the wont of simple folk to prize the deed and o'erlook the motive, and of learned folk to discount the deed and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-barth/tis-e-er-the-wont-of-simple-folk-to-prize-the-deed-and-o-erlook-the/)

[John Barth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-barth/)

> [How oft the sight of means to do ill deeds makes ill deeds done!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/how-oft-the-sight-of-means-to-do-ill-deeds-makes-ill-deeds-done/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [A nation of character is filled with citizens who gradually build lives based on the living awareness that their deeds are judged by eyes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-keyes/a-nation-of-character-is-filled-with-citizens-who-gradually-build/)

[Alan Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-keyes/)

> [Time, which wears down and diminishes all things, augments and increases good deeds, because a good turn liberally offered to a reasonable man grows…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-rabelais/time-which-wears-down-and-diminishes-all-things-augments-and/)

[Francois Rabelais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-rabelais/)

> [Alas, you don't need monsters for monstrous deeds to be accomplished.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zygmunt-bauman/alas-you-don-t-need-monsters-for-monstrous-deeds-to-be-accomplished/)

[Zygmunt Bauman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zygmunt-bauman/)

> [I rejoice that the reign of Christ is such, while it thrills the soul with emotions, and opens before the highest intellect the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-simpson/i-rejoice-that-the-reign-of-christ-is-such-while-it-thrills-the-soul/)

[Matthew Simpson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-simpson/)

> [The final estimate of men shows that history cares not an iota for the rank or title a man has borne, or the office…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-oswald-sanders/the-final-estimate-of-men-shows-that-history-cares-not-an-iota-for/)

[J. Oswald Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-oswald-sanders/)

> [The World's a Printing-House, our words, our thoughts, Our deeds, are characters of several sizes. Each soul is a Compos'tor, of whose faults The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-quarles/the-world-s-a-printing-house-our-words-our-thoughts-our-deeds-are/)

[Francis Quarles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-quarles/)

[Browse all 2,029 Deeds quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deeds/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "What makes a man a man are his deeds, his responsibilities, and his reactions... These things are also what makes a man a monster.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Shannon Delany"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-delany/what-makes-a-man-a-man-are-his-deeds-his-responsibilities-and-his/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Deeds"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-delany/what-makes-a-man-a-man-are-his-deeds-his-responsibilities-and-his/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a4f/shannon-delany-19075_deeds_what-makes-a-man-a-man-are-his-deeds-his_1248193.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a4f/shannon-delany-19075_deeds_what-makes-a-man-a-man-are-his-deeds-his_1248193.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a4f/shannon-delany-19075_deeds_what-makes-a-man-a-man-are-his-deeds-his_1248193.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“What makes a man a man are his deeds, his responsibilities, and his reactions... These things are also what…” — Shannon Delany",
                "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": "Shannon Delany",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-delany/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "What makes a man a man...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-delany/what-makes-a-man-a-man-are-his-deeds-his-responsibilities-and-his/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-delany/what-makes-a-man-a-man-are-his-deeds-his-responsibilities-and-his/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
