Handsome is as handsome does

[Peri]

What exactly does this mean ?

[Peri]

I know that 10ClarionSt.  About the saying and you, of course - goes without saying.  But how does it make sense and where did it come from.

[jno]

I think it means something like the proof of the pudding being in the eating. In other words, it's not enough to look good, you've got to be a good person too.

[Peri]

That actually makes some sense jno.  And dont worry 10ClarionSt we have Bruce Willis to save us so we will be ok.

[jno]

I have my lucid moments Peri.

[Quizmonster]

The original quote is from Oliver Goldsmith in 1766. He has a character say:

"They are as heaven made them - handsome enough if they be good enough, for handsome is that handsome does."

The word 'handsome', in other words, has more to do with conduct - as Jno suggests above - than appearance, even though nowadays we tend to use it only for physical attractiveness.

[Octavius]

You are handsome when you do handsome things. 

Good deeds are more important than good looks. The proverb was first recorded by Chaucer in 'The Wife of Bath's Tale' (c. 1387) "He is gentil that dooth fentil deedis."

In 1766, in the preface to 'The Vicar of Wakefield,' Oliver Goldsmith wrote the quote as QM says above. The saying is found in varying forms, including 'Beauty is as beauty does'

Then there's the line from the movie Forrest Gump: "Stupid is as stupid does."

[dothawkes]

never mind all the chaucer ramblings, peri has Bruce Willis and I want one, vest on or not, it is not fair.