Divine Definitions: (1) Unconditional kindness; unselfishly generous; charitable beyond bounty; beneficent; (2) Gracious and attractive; virtuous; (3) Blameless; unimpeachable; (4) Praiseworthy; desirable; (5) Deserving of respect; honorable; (6) A euphemism for God
Quote: Do good without thought of benefit to the self. Goodness begets goodness, but to the one who is truly good, evil also begets goodness. True goodness is like water. It blesses everything and harms nothing. And like water, the true goodness of the Supreme seeks the lowest places, even those levels which others avoid. — Lao-Tse (c. 604-531 BC), Taoism
Comment: Good is not good only in contrast to evil. Evil (even if encompassing stupidity, sin, and iniquity) only makes up a very small portion of the universe – a few dark spots on a pure, clean background. Evil is measurably separate from true Goodness, sometimes a little and sometimes a lot. We are certainly selfish, misguided, and immature beings with only a finite amount of information, but that goes along with the fact we have been given the right to choose. And that freewill was given by The One Person who wishes nothing more than to share His infinite goodness.
GOODNESS
Human Definitions: (1) excellence of character, morale, or virtue; (2) showing kindly feelings; benevolence; (3) unselfish; generous; beneficent; (4) deserving of respect; honorable (5) blameless; unimpeachable
Derivation: Sanskrit, “what one clings to;” Old English, “God”
Synonym: praiseworthy
Saying: If darkness is, then darkness is good. — Mbuti
Quotes:
• Goodness begets goodness; but to the one who is truly good, evil also begets goodness. — Lao-tse (6th Century BC) Chinese philosopher, Founder of Taoism
• Goodness alone can lead men forward beyond their humanity. — Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius (480-524) Roman Senator & philosopher
• It is noble to be good and it’s nobler to teach others to be good, and less trouble. — Mark Twain [born Samuel Langhorne Clemens] (1835-1910) American humorist
• There is but one good; that is God. Everything else is good when it looks to Him and bad when it turns away from Him. — Clive Staples [c. s.] Lewis (1898-1963) Irish-born British novelist
Reflection: Magnificent beauty can be so compelling that you can feel the goodness therein.
Comment: If you are good to someone, they get the direct benefit of your act of kindness. But does your simple personal goodness also benefit more broadly? When you are practicing goodness to even one other, they will be more likely to live goodness as well. Therefore, your personal benevolent act spreads out. No matter how private your goodness, you are adding to the greater good.
Consideration: The results of being good are usually evident.
Advice: When in doubt, focus on the good, focus on what you know to be correct and true. Ask your heart whether or not you are doing the right thing. Truth and beauty are mutually supporting with goodness. Look to one to measure the others.