What's a good translation of "きれいごと"?


Like in the examples:

「自分が不幸でも他の人が幸せならいいなんて綺麗事だよ」

「人は外見より中身だ、なんて綺麗事だよ」

In the dictionary I found `lip service`, but it doesn't "feel" very natural to
me, although maybe that's just my impression.

What are some other words/expressions which I use in this situation?




**Hollow/empty words** (n.) or **ring hollow** (v.), **sound empty/hollow**
fits the meaning of 綺麗事, as it explicitly dismisses the subject-matter as
unrealistic and reflects the hypocrisy connotation of 綺麗事. However, it fails
to reflect the connotation of how the subject-matter sounds great at first
glance.

In this case, **idealistic** (adj.) can be used instead, to reflect both the
superficial positive quality and the unreality of the subject-matter.

> 「自分が不幸でも他の人が幸せならいいなんて綺麗事だよ」
>
> It's idealistic to put the happiness of other people before your own.
>
> Putting the happiness of other people before your own - how idealistic that
> is.

> 「人は外見より中身だ、なんて綺麗事だよ」
>
> It's idealistic to expect people to value personality over looks
>
> Personality over looks - how idealistic that is.




**Hollow/empty words** (n.) or **ring hollow** (v.), **sound empty/hollow**
fits the meaning of 綺麗事, as it explicitly dismisses the subject-matter as
unrealistic and reflects the hypocrisy connotation of 綺麗事. However, it fails
to reflect the connotation of how the subject-matter sounds great at first
glance.

In this case, **idealistic** (adj.) can be used instead, to reflect both the
superficial positive quality and the unreality of the subject-matter.

> 「自分が不幸でも他の人が幸せならいいなんて綺麗事だよ」
>
> It's idealistic to put the happiness of other people before your own.
>
> Putting the happiness of other people before your own - how idealistic that
> is.

> 「人は外見より中身だ、なんて綺麗事だよ」
>
> It's idealistic to expect people to value personality over looks
>
> Personality over looks - how idealistic that is.

