Il n'est pas si dangereux de faire du mal a la plupart des hommes que de leur faire trop de bien.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Harming most people is less dangerous than doing them too much good.
- In plain terms
- Doing excessive good creates risks that harming others does not.
- What can you take from it?
- Excessive generosity can create dependencies or obligations that harm the giver.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What risks come from helping others too much?
- Why do some resent receiving help?
Another view
This view treats good as a transaction rather than a virtue.
More from Francois de La Rochefoucauld
C'est une grande folie de vouloir etre sage tout seul.
Permalink to quote #64 C'est une grande habilete que de savoir cacher son habilete.
Permalink to quote #66 Le trop grand empressement qu'on a de s'acquitter d'une obligation est une espece d'ingratitude.
Permalink to quote #63
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