---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We seldom find people ungrateful so long…"
description: "\"We seldom find people ungrateful so long as it is thought we can serve them.\" — Francois de La Rochefoucauld"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/78d/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_long_we-seldom-find-people-ungrateful-so-long_2683922.png"
---

#  We seldom find people ungrateful so long as it is thought…

![“We seldom find people ungrateful so long as it is thought we can serve them.” quote by Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/78d/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_long_we-seldom-find-people-ungrateful-so-long_2683922.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/78d/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_long_we-seldom-find-people-ungrateful-so-long_2683922.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/78d/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld-1_long_we-seldom-find-people-ungrateful-so-long_2683922.png)

> “We seldom find people ungrateful so long as it is thought we can serve them.”

[Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/)

## About This Quote

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

People appear grateful when they think we can help them, revealing self‑interest behind gratitude.

**In simple terms:** Gratitude often masks desire for assistance.

Key Takeaway

Recognize hidden motives in praise.

Themes

gratitude self‑interest human behavior

Mood

reflective analytical

Type

observational philosophical

When to use this quote

- personal relationships
- workplace interactions
- charitable giving

Key Concepts

psychology social dynamics

Questions to Reflect On

- Do you give thanks for help or for the helper?
- How does perceived usefulness shape relationships?

A Different Perspective

Gratitude can be genuine; not always self‑serving.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/)

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> [“Strange, he thought, how seldom people tend to look up”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/strange-he-thought-how-seldom-people-tend-to-look-up/)

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> [Almost everyone takes pleasure in repaying trifling obligations, very many feel gratitude for those that are moderate; but there is scarcely anyone who is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/almost-everyone-takes-pleasure-in-repaying-trifling-obligations-very/)

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> [You're probably one of the most ungrateful people I've ever met. Your life isn't hard and no one feels bad for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-re-probably-one-of-the-most-ungrateful-people-i-ve-ever-met-your/)

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> [The masses are still ungrateful or ignorant. They prefer murder, poisonings, and crimes generally to a literature possessed of style and feeling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-sand/the-masses-are-still-ungrateful-or-ignorant-they-prefer-murder/)

[George Sand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-sand/)

## More by Francois de La Rochefoucauld

> [Our own distrust gives a fair pretence for the knavery of other people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/our-own-distrust-gives-a-fair-pretence-for-the-knavery-of-other-people/)

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