--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I believe that no characteristic is so…" description: "\"I believe that no characteristic is so distinctively human as the sense of indebtedness we feel, not necessarily for a favor received, but even for the..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/618/marcus-tullius-cicero-157_believe_i-believe-that-no-characteristic-is-so-d_2355666.jpg" --- # I believe that no characteristic is so distinctively human… ![“I believe that no characteristic is so distinctively human as the sense of indebtedness we feel, not necessarily for a favor received, but even for the slightest evidence of kindness; and there is nothing so boorish, savage, inhuman as to appear to be overwhelmed by a favor, let alone unworthy of…” quote by Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/618/marcus-tullius-cicero-157_believe_i-believe-that-no-characteristic-is-so-d_2355666.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/618/marcus-tullius-cicero-157_believe_i-believe-that-no-characteristic-is-so-d_2355666.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/618/marcus-tullius-cicero-157_believe_i-believe-that-no-characteristic-is-so-d_2355666.jpg) > “I believe that no characteristic is so distinctively human as the sense of indebtedness we feel, not necessarily for a favor received, but even for the slightest evidence of kindness; and there is nothing so boorish, savage, inhuman as to appear to be overwhelmed by a favor, let alone unworthy of it.” [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human nature feels indebted not only for direct favors but for any kindness, and refusing to acknowledge this is morally degrading. **In simple terms:** We naturally feel gratitude for even small kindnesses. Key Takeaway Acknowledge and repay kindness sincerely. Themes ethics gratitude humanity Mood thoughtful serious ethical Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - teamwork - volunteering - daily interactions - conflict resolution Key Concepts social reciprocity humility moral duty Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance gratitude with self‑respect? - When is it okay to decline a favor? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on indebtedness can create guilt. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Indebtedness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/indebtedness/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Kindness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kindness/) [Savages](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/savages/) ## Related quotes > [There is a built-in sense of indebtedness in the consciousness of man, an awareness of owing gratitude, or being caled upon at certain moments…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-joshua-heschel/there-is-a-built-in-sense-of-indebtedness-in-the-consciousness-of-man/) [Abraham Joshua Heschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-joshua-heschel/) > [I felt a great sense of indebtedness and responsibility to use the help that other people had given me to in turn help others…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brooke-ellison/i-felt-a-great-sense-of-indebtedness-and-responsibility-to-use-the/) [Brooke Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brooke-ellison/) > [Let us candidly confess our indebtedness to the needle. How many hours of sorrow has it softened, how many bitter irritations calmed, how many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-wells-healey-dall/let-us-candidly-confess-our-indebtedness-to-the-needle-how-many-hours/) Caroline Wells Healey Dall > [ Jew storekeepers have already learned the advantage to be gained from this \[unlimited credit\]: they lead on the farmer into irretrievable indebtedness, and keep… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-louis-stevenson/jew-storekeepers-have-already-learned-the-advantage-to-be-gained-from/) [Robert Louis Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-louis-stevenson/) > [College students today are drowning in debt, and it is hurting them and hurting our economy. We must find a way to help families…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-warren/college-students-today-are-drowning-in-debt-and-it-is-hurting-them/) [Elizabeth Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-warren/) > [The idea of regularly acknowledging our indebtedness to the natural world and giving thanks for the many gifts we receive from it, or considering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-cook/the-idea-of-regularly-acknowledging-our-indebtedness-to-the-natural/) [Charlie Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-cook/) > [“Here I am, proud as Greek god, and yet standing debtor to this blockhead for a bone to stand on! Cursed be that mortal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/here-i-am-proud-as-greek-god-and-yet-standing-debtor-to-this/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [A man's indebtedness is not virtue; his repayment is. Virtue begins when he dedicates himself actively to the job of gratitude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-benedict/a-man-s-indebtedness-is-not-virtue-his-repayment-is-virtue-begins/) [Ruth Benedict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-benedict/) > [“Parenting is the greatest pay it forward system on earth. We don't owe our parents anything. We owe our children everything. The same was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-pearce/parenting-is-the-greatest-pay-it-forward-system-on-earth-we-don-t-owe/) [Dan Pearce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-pearce/) > [We could curtail private spending by several trillion dollars a year without requiring painful sacrifices from anyone. That would be more than enough to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-frank/we-could-curtail-private-spending-by-several-trillion-dollars-a-year/) [Robert H. Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-frank/) > [Great indebtedness does not make men grateful, but vengeful; and if a little charity is not forgotten, it turns into a gnawing worm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/great-indebtedness-does-not-make-men-grateful-but-vengeful-and-if-a/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [The advent of the Christian God, as the maximum god attained so far, was therefore accompanied by the maximum feeling of guilty indebtedness on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/the-advent-of-the-christian-god-as-the-maximum-god-attained-so-far/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [People ask how I can be a conservative and still want higher taxes. 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I accept your gift, dearest Night Mother.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/laughing-laughing-laughing-laughing-it-is-the-jester-a-voice-from-the/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [This is a proof of a well-trained mind, to rejoice in what is good and to grieve at the opposite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/this-is-a-proof-of-a-well-trained-mind-to-rejoice-in-what-is-good-and/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [Let art, then, imitate nature, find what she desires, and follow as she directs. 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(Nothing is more unpredictable than the mob, nothing more obscure than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/nihil-est-incertius-vulgo-nihil-obscurius-voluntate-hominum-nihil/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [The foundations of justice are that on one shall suffer wrong; then, that the public good be promoted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/the-foundations-of-justice-are-that-on-one-shall-suffer-wrong-then/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [“The life of the dead is set in the memory of the living.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/the-life-of-the-dead-is-set-in-the-memory-of-the-living/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [Pardon is granted to necessity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/pardon-is-granted-to-necessity/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [Friendship embraces innumerable ends; turn where you will it is ever at your side; no barrier shuts it out; it is never untimely and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/friendship-embraces-innumerable-ends-turn-where-you-will-it-is-ever/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [History is the witness of the times, the light of truth, the life of memory, the teacher of life, the messenger of antiquity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/history-is-the-witness-of-the-times-the-light-of-truth-the-life-of/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [The Jews belong to a dark and repulsive force. One knows how numerous this clique is, how they stick together and what power they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/the-jews-belong-to-a-dark-and-repulsive-force-one-knows-how-numerous/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [Nature has planted in our minds an insatiable longing to see the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/nature-has-planted-in-our-minds-an-insatiable-longing-to-see-the-truth/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) [Explore all 1,068 Marcus Tullius Cicero quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) ## More Believe quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. 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He's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/resist-discouragement-by-speaking-his-word-over-your-future-keep/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [There is no such word as item girl in the dictionary. People have created this word and I don't believe that I am an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shefali-zariwala/there-is-no-such-word-as-item-girl-in-the-dictionary-people-have/) [Shefali Zariwala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shefali-zariwala/) > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. 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It's good for us to explore the depravity of our minds, so we know we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krishna-das/we-instantly-believe-everything-we-think-isn-t-that-insane-it-s-good/) [Krishna Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krishna-das/) Browse all 47,704 Believe quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I believe that no characteristic is so distinctively human as the sense of indebtedness we feel, not necessarily for a favor received, but even for the slightest evidence of kindness; and there is nothing so boorish, savage, inhuman as to appear to be overwhelmed by a favor, let alone unworthy of it.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Marcus Tullius Cicero" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/i-believe-that-no-characteristic-is-so-distinctively-human-as-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Believe" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/i-believe-that-no-characteristic-is-so-distinctively-human-as-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/618/marcus-tullius-cicero-157_believe_i-believe-that-no-characteristic-is-so-d_2355666.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/618/marcus-tullius-cicero-157_believe_i-believe-that-no-characteristic-is-so-d_2355666.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/618/marcus-tullius-cicero-157_believe_i-believe-that-no-characteristic-is-so-d_2355666.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I believe that no characteristic is so distinctively human as the sense of indebtedness we feel, not…” — Marcus Tullius Cicero", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Marcus Tullius Cicero", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I believe that no characteristic is...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/i-believe-that-no-characteristic-is-so-distinctively-human-as-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/i-believe-that-no-characteristic-is-so-distinctively-human-as-the/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```