"The good die young, because they see it's no use living if you have got to be good"

John Barrymore’s observation suggests a cynical yet poignant view on the value society places on goodness and how it interacts with life’s realities. The phrase “the good die young” is commonly used to lament the early loss of morally upright individuals, implying a tragic irony at the heart of existence. Barrymore, however, turns this truism on its head by proposing a reasoning behind such early departures: those who strive for goodness recognize the futility in doing so in a world that seldom rewards virtue.

Goodness, in this context, is positioned as a burden rather than a blessing. People aspiring to live morally upright lives may become hyper-aware of hypocrisy, injustice, and the frequent triumph of selfishness or mediocrity. Such acute sensitivity could make the world appear inhospitable or even hostile. This viewpoint carries an existential undertone, suggesting that living well, in the sense of simply enduring, might require a certain degree of moral compromise, cynicism, or acceptance of life’s imperfections. For the truly good, persisting in such a world might be intolerable; genuine virtue, when confronted with unrelenting imperfection, can result in disillusionment and despair.

Barrymore’s words also question whether living a “good” life is sustainable amidst societal flaws. If society celebrates cunning and rewards those who disregard virtue, striving for goodness becomes not just difficult but arguably pointless. Thus, the good may die young not because of fate’s cruelty but because they consciously, or unconsciously, choose escape over adaptation.

Ultimately, the remark sharply critiques the moral climate of society, lamenting both the loss of good souls and the lack of a supportive environment for goodness to thrive. It is at once a lament and a challenge, provoking reflection on whether goodness should adapt to survive, or whether society should change to make goodness worth living for.