Good breeding and good nature do incline us rather to help…
“Good breeding and good nature do incline us rather to help and raise people up to ourselves, than to mortify and depress them, and, in truth, our own private interest concurs in it, as it is making ourselves so many friends, instead of so many enemies.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
People naturally prefer uplifting others because it builds friendships and serves self‑interest, whereas belittling creates enemies.
In simple terms: Helping others makes friends; hurting them makes enemies.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate kindness to gain allies.
Themes
kindness
self‑interest
relationships
Mood
reflective
encouraging
Type
ethical
practical
When to use this quote
- team leadership
- mentoring
- community building
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
social reciprocity
egoism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance self‑interest with genuine generosity?
- When might honest criticism be more helpful than praise?
A Different Perspective
Kindness can be costly if not reciprocated.