Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker claims friendship requires help but takes a scarf instead.
In plain terms
He says friends help each other but takes a scarf home for himself.
What can you take from it?
People often claim values but act in self-interest.

Where it applies

  • social interaction
  • conflict of interest

Putting it to work

  • watch for mixed signals
  • prioritize actions over words

Questions to consider

  • When do we claim values but act selfishly?
  • Is having something in hand better than helping?

Another view

The context is vague so motives are inferred.

More from John Gay

  1. Fill it up. I take as large draughts of liquor as I did of love. I hate a flincher in either.

    Permalink to quote #34
  2. The charge is prepared; the lawyers are met; The judges all ranged (a terrible show!) I go, undismay'd.-For death is a debt, A debt on demand.-So take what I o…

    Permalink to quote #36
  3. If love be not his Guide, He never will come back!

    Permalink to quote #33

Related quotes

  1. This insinuation of the interests of the self into even the most ideal enterprises and most universal objectives, envisaged in moments of highest rationality, …

    Reinhold NiebuhrReinhold Niebuhr quote #2
  2. No man thinks there is much ado about nothing when the ado is about himself.

    Anthony TrollopeAnthony Trollope quote #4
  3. None of you would help me when I baked my bread / Now all of you would help me eat it / I can see that you are very well fed / This indicates that you don't ne…

    DevoDevo quote #5