Born Quote by Jeffrey Kluger
“We are all born with an innate understanding of interpersonal equity - the idea that if you lend me your rake today, I'll respond in kind when you come to borrow my shovel tomorrow. Or nearly all of us are born with that. Psychopaths aren't.”
About This Quote
Source Article: "The Empathy Gap" in Time Magazine, 2015
Humans naturally expect reciprocal fairness in relationships, a sense absent in psychopathic individuals.
In simple terms: People expect fair give‑and‑take; psychopaths lack this.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and foster reciprocal fairness in interactions.
Themes
fairness
reciprocity
human nature
psychopathy
social behavior
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
observational
ethical
psychological
When to use this quote
- teamwork
- negotiations
- friendships
- community building
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
reciprocal equity
empathy
social cognition
Questions to Reflect On
- How does reciprocal fairness shape your relationships?
- What can you do when fairness is broken?
A Different Perspective
Psychopaths may exploit fairness expectations, undermining trust.
![“Does a rake deserve to possess anything of worth, since he chases everything in skirts and then imagines he can successfully hide his shame by slandering [women in general]?” quote by Christine de Pizan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6ff/christine-de-pizan-13257_deserve_does-a-rake-deserve-to-possess-anything_259776.jpg)
