"He who is too busy doing good finds no time to be good"

A person might dedicate themselves entirely to performing good deeds, charity work, or obligations that benefit others, constantly seeking to do “good” in the external, visible sense. Their days are filled with worthy activities; they might be admired for their devotion and effectiveness. Yet, amid this busyness, something important is overlooked: the cultivation of inner virtue and goodness. True goodness is not simply external action, but an inner state, a quality of heart, reflected in genuine kindness and presence toward oneself and others.

Constant activity can be a distraction, preventing self-reflection or deeper moral development. When driven by the desire to accomplish, to be seen as virtuous or useful, a person can neglect the slow, sometimes invisible work of becoming genuinely good: nurturing patience, humility, compassion, and honesty within. There is a difference between doing good things and being a good person. Actions alone do not define character; intentions, mindfulness, and a spirit of authenticity matter equally.

The message also warns against using good deeds as a shield against confronting personal faults, pain, or complexity. Busyness provides an excuse, a reason never to pause and question motivations or to sit with discomfort. One may unconsciously believe that outward acts can substitute for the uncomfortable work of internal self-examination and transformation. Yet goodness grows in silence, in moments of stillness, seeking not recognition but sincerity.

Being good asks for integrity between actions and values, a willingness to confront one’s own weaknesses, and to cultivate empathy, not merely perform it. Real moral growth involves both reaching outward and turning inward. Balance is needed; otherwise, the external pursuit of goodness risks becoming hollow, a performance rather than a way of being. True goodness is born when action and inner disposition align, and for that, one must make time to listen, reflect, and simply be.