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About this quote

What does it mean?
An ungrateful person is less at fault than the one who did the good.
In plain terms
The do-gooder may be more to blame for ingratitude.
What can you take from it?
Giving with expectations can breed resentment.

Where it applies

  • friendship
  • charity
  • gift giving

Putting it to work

  • giving without strings
  • accepting outcomes

Questions to consider

  • Do you give expecting return?
  • Who is truly at fault?

Another view

It excuses clear selfishness in some cases.

More from Francois de La Rochefoucauld

  1. Chacun dit du bien de son coeur et personne n'en ose dire de son esprit.

    Permalink to quote #36
  2. Les vieillards aiment a donner de bons preceptes, pour se consoler de n'etre plus en etat de donner de mauvais exemples.

    Permalink to quote #34
  3. Dans l'adversite de nos meilleurs amis, nous trouvons toujours quelque chose qui ne nous deplait pas.

    Permalink to quote #37

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