Do your neighbour good by all means in your power, moral as well as physical - by kindness, by patience, by unflinching resistance against every outward evil - by the silent preaching of your own contrary life. But if the only good you can do him is by talking at him, or about him - nay, even to him, if it be in a self-satisfied, super-virtuous style - such as I earnestly hope the present writer is not doing - you had much better leave him alone. ~ Ch. 8
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Doing good should focus on actions and living well rather than just preaching or talking about others in a self-satisfied way.
- In plain terms
- Help people through actions and your own life, not just by talking.
- What can you take from it?
- Lead by example rather than preaching to others.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you show good without speaking?
- Is preaching ever useful?
Another view
Sometimes talking is the only way to raise awareness for an issue.
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