proverb · Legacy record
That which is beautiful is not always good, but that which is good is always beautiful.
That which is beautiful is not always good, but that which is good is always beautiful.
Historical period not yet established
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
Beauty not always good but goodness always beautiful separates appearance from value and then gives goodness an approving image. The saying reverses the usual priority of looks.
What the words are saying
The second beauty is evaluative rather than a guaranteed visible feature. A responsible interpretation can value conduct without judging moral worth from appearance or declaring one universal aesthetic. Goodness itself requires assessment of actions and effects rather than a label.
Everyday example
A reader considers considerate conduct rather than treating attractive presentation as proof of merit.
When to use it
Use it to explain the appearance-and-value contrast.
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What it does not mean
No moral verdict from looks or universal physical beauty of good people is established.
Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
China
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin.- Historical period
- Historical period not yet established
No sufficiently supported historical placement has been established. Import and download dates are not treated as composition dates. - Recorded source
- Contributor-provided wisdom reference (2014 AD)
Supplied reference B; unit 240; PDF page 29; collection label: China
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.
- Culture
- China