Every man Quote by Jonathan Swift
“Your notions of friendship arenew to me; I believe every man is born with his quantum, and he cannot give to one without robbing another. I very well know to whom I would give the first place in my friendship, but they are not in the way, I am condemned to another scene, and therefore I distribute it inpennyworths to those about me, and who displease me least, and should do the same to my fellow prisoners if I were condemned to a jail.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: 1755, “A Modest Proposal” style satire on friendship and self‑interest
Friendship is limited; one cannot give fully without losing something, leading to selfish distribution of affection
In simple terms: Friendship is scarce and often selfish
Key Takeaway
Recognize and address selfishness in relationships
Themes
friendship
self‑interest
human nature
philosophy
morality
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
satirical
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- workplace dynamics
- political alliances
- community building
- prisoner’s dilemma
Key Concepts
Reciprocity
quantum metaphor
social contracts
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you think true selfless friendship exists?
- How do you balance self‑interest with generosity?
A Different Perspective
The analogy may oversimplify complex human bonds and ignore altruism
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