He liked to join in any game that was afoot, so long as it…
““He liked to join in any game that was afoot, so long as it was simple, such as dominoes or draughts, but was so good natured that he always let his opponents win. Not that he said so, but we were always aware of it, and could see him making mistakes on purpose. To poor Arthur we owed our disgust with obtrusively unselfish people, and our understanding of mother's oft-repeated maxim: 'Please yourself, your friends will like you the better.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
He pretended to be simple and let opponents win, teaching that self‑service leads to genuine friendships.
In simple terms: Pretending to be simple helps build true friendships.
Key Takeaway
Be genuine, not overly self‑serving.
Themes
friendship
humility
self‑service
games
social dynamics
Mood
insightful
observational
thoughtful
Type
Arthur:0
Failure:0
Good nature:1
Making mistakes:0
Please yourself:1
Let Opponents:1
Poor Arthur:0
Draughts Good:0
Arthur Owed:0
When to use this quote
- playing games
- building trust
- observing behavior
- social interaction
Key Concepts
authenticity
self‑sacrifice
social psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you ever let others win to foster goodwill?
- How does humility affect relationships?
A Different Perspective
May be misread as weakness.