AI-powered
podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Happier with Gretchen Rubin
Little Happier: It’s Right to Do the Right Thing, Even When It Makes No Difference
Feb 10, 2025
Explore the profound idea that the value of good deeds lies in their intrinsic worth, not just their outcomes. Voices from notable thinkers emphasize that acting righteously enhances personal integrity. The discussion reflects on how spiritual rewards often surpass tangible results. It's about the deeper fulfillment found in kindness and the significance of right actions, even when their impact seems minimal. Ultimately, doing the right thing enriches our lives, regardless of the visible effects.
04:31
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- The intrinsic value of doing what is right should be prioritized over the tangible results of our actions.
- Various authors underscore that personal fulfillment comes from the righteousness of our efforts, independent of their perceived effectiveness.
Deep dives
The Value of Doing Good for Its Own Sake
Doing good works should be driven by the righteousness of the action itself rather than the potential outcomes. Various authors, including Leonard Wolfe, emphasize that despite achieving little from their efforts, the significance lies in the act of doing what they believe is right. Wolfe reflects on decades of political work, deeming the effort personally fulfilling even in its perceived futility. Similarly, writers like Thomas Merton stress the importance of focusing on the intrinsic value of the work rather than its results, reinforcing the idea that the right action holds personal significance regardless of its impact.
Get the Snipd
podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered
Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any
moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share
& Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered
podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode