The generality of virtuous women are like hidden treasures, they are safe only because nobody has sought after them.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
A great many men's gratitude is nothing but a secret desire to hook in more valuable kindnesses hereafter.
Interpretation
What this quote means
People often show gratitude with ulterior motives, hoping to receive more favors in the future.
This quote suggests that many expressions of gratitude are not entirely sincere; instead, they may be driven by a self-serving agenda where individuals seek to benefit from future acts of kindness. It highlights the complex nature of human relationships, where the motivations behind our actions can be masked by the facade of appreciation.
Themes
GratitudeKindnessRelationshipsSelfishnessMotivation
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about volunteering, one might use this quote to provoke thought about the true nature of giving and gratitude.
More from Francois De La Rochefoucauld
All quotes →Old men delight in giving good advice as a consolation for the fact that they can no longer set bad examples.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
Some counterfeits reproduce so very well the truth that it would be a flaw of judgment not to be deceived by them.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
Conceit causes more conversation than wit.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
The defects and faults of the mind are like wounds in the body; after all imaginable care has been taken to heal them up, still there will be a scar left behind, and they are in continual danger of breaking the skin and bursting out again.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
To understand matters rightly we should understand their details; and as that knowledge is almost infinite, our knowledge is always superficial and imperfect.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
Similar quotes
Suffering should not define you as a woman! And just because you’re a man it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t affect you! HELP HER to remove the taboos and the loneliness surrounding this disease; be understanding, show empathy, and don’t accuse her of being sensitive, delicate, or overly dramatic – this is a big opportunity for you guys to show that you care and to be a real man!
Susan SarandonRead
The way that same-sex marriage should reach the federal level is that it absolutely should be decided by the Supreme Court as quickly as possible. It's a 14th Amendment issue. There's no argument about it.
Tony KushnerRead
The whites come to applaud a Negro performer just like the colored do. When you've got the respect of white and colored, you can ease a lot of things.
Nat King ColeRead
Do you think it makes people nasty to be loved? You know it doesn’t! Then why should it make them nice to be loathed? While you’re being persecuted, you hate what’s happening to you, you hate the people who are making it happen; you’re in a world of hate. Why, you wouldn’t recognize love if you met it! You’d suspect love! You’d think there was something behind it—some motive—some trick.
Christopher IsherwoodRead
By helping others come unto Him, you will find that you have come unto Him yourself
Henry B. EyringRead
If you would marry suitably, marry your equal.
OvidRead