“It is amazing how complete is the delusion that beauty is goodness.”
- September 9, 1828 – November 20, 1910
- Born in Russia
- Writer, philosopher
- Wrote masterpieces such as “War and Peace,” “Anna Karenina,” and “Ivan the Fool,” and had a major impact not only on literature but also on politics and society.
Quote
“It is amazing how complete is the delusion that beauty is goodness.”
Explanation
In this quote, Leo Tolstoy critiques the common assumption that physical beauty is an indicator of moral goodness. He points out the misleading nature of equating external appearance with inner virtue, a notion that has been prevalent throughout history and remains significant in modern culture. Tolstoy believed that true goodness comes from character, actions, and intentions, not from outward appearances. This quote challenges the superficial tendency to assume that someone who is physically beautiful is also morally admirable, encouraging a deeper reflection on how we judge others.
In today’s society, where media often emphasizes physical beauty and promotes it as a standard of value, this idea remains highly relevant. The entertainment and fashion industries often portray beautiful people as virtuous or successful, which can lead to a distorted view of what constitutes a person’s worth. However, inner goodness, kindness, and integrity are qualities that define a person’s true character, not their physical features. For example, someone might be admired for their outer beauty, but their actions and behavior can reveal whether they possess true moral goodness.
Tolstoy’s own life was shaped by his rejection of surface-level appearances, and he consistently sought to highlight the inner struggles and moral dilemmas of his characters. In works like Anna Karenina, he explored how characters’ external beauty often masked deeper flaws or internal conflicts, demonstrating that beauty and goodness are separate, not synonymous. The quote serves as a reminder to look beyond physical beauty and recognize that a person’s true worth lies in their actions and values.
