Ce que les hommes ont nomme amitie n'est qu'une societe, qu'un menagement reciproque d'interets, et qu'un echange de bons offices; ce n'est enfin qu'un commerce ou l'amour-propre se propose toujours quelque chose a gagner.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Friendship is often just a transactional exchange of interests and favors rather than pure affection.
- In plain terms
- People call friendship what is really just trading favors for personal gain.
- What can you take from it?
- Look beyond social labels to see the real motivations in relationships.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What do you truly gain from your closest friendships?
- Are you trading favors or sharing genuinely?
Another view
Some friendships do exist beyond mere self-interest.
More from Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Le silence est le parti le plus sur de celui qui se defie de soi-meme.
Permalink to quote #30 Il est plus honteux de se defier de ses amis que d'en etre trompe.
Permalink to quote #32 L'amour de la justice n'est en la plupart des hommes que la crainte de souffrir l'injustice.
Permalink to quote #29
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