Women know the way to rear up children (to be just). They know a simple, merry, tender knack of tying sashes, fitting baby-shoes, and stringing pretty words that make no sense. And kissing full sense into empty words.
Elizabeth Barrett BrowningRead
We all have known good critics, who have stamped out poet's hopes; Good statesmen, who pulled ruin on the state; Good patriots, who, for a theory, risked a cause; Good kings, who disemboweled for a tax; Good Popes, who brought all good to jeopardy; Good Christians, who sat still in easy-chairs; And damned the general world for standing up. Now, may the good God pardon all good men!
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the paradox of 'good' people who, through their actions or inaction, cause harm or stagnation.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning's quote explores the ironic nature of individuals who are considered 'good' yet contribute to destructive outcomes. It highlights the complexities of human morality by illustrating how those with good intentions, such as critics, statesmen, and religious leaders, often fail to act in ways that genuinely benefit society. This commentary calls into question the definition of goodness and suggests that the impact of one's actions, not intentions, is what truly matters. In the end, it appeals for divine forgiveness for those who, despite their goodness, have caused harm.
Themes
GoodnessMoralityActionIntentionSociety
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about community and activism, one might use this quote to emphasize the importance of actionable change rather than passive goodness.
More from Elizabeth Barrett Browning
All quotes →She has seen the mystery hid Under Egypt's pyramid: By those eyelids pale and close Now she knows what Rhamses knows.
Elizabeth Barrett BrowningRead
First time he kissed me, he but only kissed The fingers of this hand wherewith I write; And, ever since, it grew more clean and white.
Elizabeth Barrett BrowningRead
Earth's crammed with heaven, And every common bush afire with God: But only he who sees takes off his shoes.
Elizabeth Barrett BrowningRead
Our Euripides the human, With his droppings of warm tears, and his touchings of things common Till they rose to meet the spheres.
Elizabeth Barrett BrowningRead
Love me sweet With all thou art Feeling, thinking, seeing; Love me in the Lightest part, Love me in full Being.
Elizabeth Barrett BrowningRead
Similar quotes
The quality of the will to power is, precisely, growth. Achievement is its cancellation. To be, the will to power must increase with each fulfillment, making the fulfillment only a step to a further one. The vaster the power gained the vaster the appetite for more.
Ursula K. Le GuinRead
It doesn't matter if that felony happened three weeks ago or thirty-five years ago - for the rest of your life, you've got to check that box, knowing full well the odds are sky-high your application is going straight to the trash.
Michelle AlexanderRead
Let man be true and every god a liar.
Samuel ButlerRead
There never comes a point where a theory can be said to be true. The most that one can claim for any theory is that it has shared the successes of all its rivals and that it has passed at least one test which they have failed.
A.J. AyerRead
Every civilization sees itself as the center of the world and writes its history as the central drama of human history.
Samuel P. HuntingtonRead
A universe with a creator would be a totally different kind of universe, scientifically speaking, than one without.
Richard DawkinsRead