Your corn is ripe today; mine will be so tomorrow. 'Tis…
““Your corn is ripe today; mine will be so tomorrow. 'Tis profitable for us both, that I should labour with you today, and that you should aid me tomorrow. I have no kindness for you, and know you have as little for me. I will not, therefore, take any pains upon your account; and should I labour with you upon my own account, in expectation of a return, I know I should be disappointed, and that I should in vain depend upon your gratitude. Here then I leave you to labour alone; You treat me in the same manner. The seasons change; and both of us lose our harvests for want of mutual confidence and security.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Mutual trust and cooperation yield better outcomes; without it, both parties suffer.
In simple terms: Cooperation benefits all; lack of trust harms both.
Key Takeaway
Foster trust and collaborate rather than act alone.
Themes
trust
cooperation
mutual benefit
self-interest
Mood
philosophical
analytical
Type
essay
reflection
When to use this quote
- business partnerships
- community projects
- environmental initiatives
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
social contract
reciprocity
game theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you build trust in a new partnership?
- What are the risks of acting alone?
A Different Perspective
Trust can be fragile; incentives may conflict with cooperation.