--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As there are none so weak that we may…" description: "\"As there are none so weak that we may venture to injure them with impunity, so there are none so low that they may not at some time be able to repay an..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7e/charles-caleb-colton-270_able_as-there-are-none-so-weak-that-we-may-ve_826757.png" --- # As there are none so weak that we may venture to injure… ![“As there are none so weak that we may venture to injure them with impunity, so there are none so low that they may not at some time be able to repay an obligation. Therefore, what benevolence would dictate, prudence would confirm.” quote by Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7e/charles-caleb-colton-270_able_as-there-are-none-so-weak-that-we-may-ve_826757.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7e/charles-caleb-colton-270_able_as-there-are-none-so-weak-that-we-may-ve_826757.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7e/charles-caleb-colton-270_able_as-there-are-none-so-weak-that-we-may-ve_826757.png) > “As there are none so weak that we may venture to injure them with impunity, so there are none so low that they may not at some time be able to repay an obligation. Therefore, what benevolence would dictate, prudence would confirm.” [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People who are weak enough to be harmed without consequence will eventually become strong enough to demand repayment; kindness should be guided by caution. **In simple terms:** Weak become strong, so be cautious when helping. Key Takeaway Help wisely, expect reciprocity. Themes ethics justice human nature Mood thoughtful serious Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - personal relationships - conflict resolution - leadership - mentoring Key Concepts reciprocity prudence benevolence Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance generosity with self‑protection? - When should prudence override benevolence? A Different Perspective Kindness can be exploited if not tempered with prudence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Benevolence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/benevolence/) [Impunity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impunity/) [Kindness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kindness/) [Obligation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obligation/) [Prudence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prudence/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [I do not see why the axiom of Prudence should not be questioned, when it conflicts with present inclination, on a ground similar to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-sidgwick/i-do-not-see-why-the-axiom-of-prudence-should-not-be-questioned-when/) [Henry Sidgwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-sidgwick/) > [That is fine benevolence, finely executed, which, like the Nile, comes from hidden sources.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/that-is-fine-benevolence-finely-executed-which-like-the-nile-comes/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [God will excuse our prayers for ourselves whenever we are prevented from them by being occupied in such good works as to entitle us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/god-will-excuse-our-prayers-for-ourselves-whenever-we-are-prevented/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [Self-love, in a well-regulated breast, is as the steward of the household, superintending the expenditure, and seeing that benevolence herself should be prudential, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/self-love-in-a-well-regulated-breast-is-as-the-steward-of-the/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [If you are under obligations to many, it is prudent to postpone the recompensing of one, until it be in your power to remunerate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/if-you-are-under-obligations-to-many-it-is-prudent-to-postpone-the/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [Pedantry prides herself on being wrong by rules; while common sense is contented to be right without them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/pedantry-prides-herself-on-being-wrong-by-rules-while-common-sense-is/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [In order to try whether a vessel be leaky, we first prove it with water before we trust it with wine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/in-order-to-try-whether-a-vessel-be-leaky-we-first-prove-it-with/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [We frequently do good in order to enable us to do evil later with impunity exemption of punishment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/we-frequently-do-good-in-order-to-enable-us-to-do-evil-later-with/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [The Liberty of the press consists in the right to publish with impunity truth with good motives for justifiable ends, though reflecting on government,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/the-liberty-of-the-press-consists-in-the-right-to-publish-with/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [We have been the most prodigal of people with land, and for years we wasted it with impunity. 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