Skip to content

The prudent man does himself good; the virtuous one does…

“The prudent man does himself good; the virtuous one does it to other men.” quote by Voltaire
Download Open image
“The prudent man does himself good; the virtuous one does it to other men.”

Voltaire

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Doing good for oneself benefits the self; doing good for others benefits society.

In simple terms: Self‑benefit vs. altruism.

Key Takeaway

Balance personal and communal good.

Themes

ethics altruism self‑interest

Mood

thoughtful analytical

Type

philosophical ethical

When to use this quote

  • personal finance
  • volunteering
  • community building

Key Concepts

moral philosophy social responsibility

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you prioritize self‑care vs. helping others?
  • What motivates your good deeds?
A Different Perspective

Self‑interest can conflict with altruism.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Voltaire

Explore all 934 Voltaire quotes

More Doe quotes

Browse all 25,574 Doe quotes