Familiarity breeds contempt.
Attribution disputed; shown as originally published.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- When you know someone too well, you may start to dislike them.
- In plain terms
- Knowing someone too much can make you lose respect for them.
- What can you take from it?
- Be aware that closeness can reduce admiration.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Have you ever felt less respect for someone you got to know well?
- How do you balance closeness with admiration?
Another view
Sometimes deep knowledge actually builds deeper respect instead of contempt.
More from Publilius Syrus
Speech is a mirror of the soul: as a man speaks, so is he.
Permalink to quote #51 Necessity knows no law except to conquer.
Permalink to quote #53 I have often regretted my speech, never my silence.
Permalink to quote #50
Related quotes
'Tis strange what a man may do, and a woman yet think him an angel.
William Makepeace ThackerayWilliam Makepeace Thackeray quote #39 Few men have been admired by their own households.
Michel de MontaigneMichel de Montaigne quote #40 [He] didn't know what to say. He didn't even know the name for what he was feeling. 'I think that I don't know you.' she looked at him, a little perplexed. 'No…
Orson Scott CardOrson Scott Card quote #335