--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When men receive favours from someone…" description: "\"When men receive favours from someone they expected to do them ill, they are under a greater obligation to their benefactor...\" — Niccolo Machiavelli" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/816/niccolo-machiavelli-368_art_when-men-receive-favours-from-someone-th_283567.jpg" --- # When men receive favours from someone they expected to do… ![“When men receive favours from someone they expected to do them ill, they are under a greater obligation to their benefactor...” quote by Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/816/niccolo-machiavelli-368_art_when-men-receive-favours-from-someone-th_283567.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/816/niccolo-machiavelli-368_art_when-men-receive-favours-from-someone-th_283567.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/816/niccolo-machiavelli-368_art_when-men-receive-favours-from-someone-th_283567.jpg) > “When men receive favours from someone they expected to do them ill, they are under a greater obligation to their benefactor...” [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When a benefactor acts kindly after expected hostility, the recipient feels a stronger duty to repay. **In simple terms:** Kindness from an unexpected source creates deep obligation. Key Takeaway Honor unexpected generosity with loyalty. Themes politics gratitude obligation Mood thoughtful strategic Type philosophical political When to use this quote - political alliances - personal mentorship - business partnerships Key Concepts social contract reciprocity leadership Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance gratitude and independence? - When is repayment excessive? A Different Perspective Obligations may be exploited for manipulation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Art of war](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art-of-war/) [Benefactors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/benefactors/) [Favours](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/favours/) [Ill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ill/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Obligation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obligation/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [Men will not receive the truth from their enemies, and it is seldom offered to them by their friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/men-will-not-receive-the-truth-from-their-enemies-and-it-is-seldom/) [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/) > [“... how much less is the sense of obligation in those who receive favours than in those who grant them." Somerset Maugham”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/how-much-less-is-the-sense-of-obligation-in-those-who-receive-favours/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [The more our feelings diverge, the more deeply felt they are, the greater is our obligation to grant the sincerity and essential decency of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-kennedy/the-more-our-feelings-diverge-the-more-deeply-felt-they-are-the/) [Edward Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-kennedy/) > [“I remind mothers everywhere of the sanctity of your calling. No other can adequately take your place. No responsibility is greater, no obligation more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/i-remind-mothers-everywhere-of-the-sanctity-of-your-calling-no-other/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [Princes should delegate to others the enactment of unpopular measures and keep in their own hands the means of winning favours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/princes-should-delegate-to-others-the-enactment-of-unpopular-measures/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [“A little "thank you" that you will say to someone for a "little favour" shown to you is a key to unlock the doors…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/a-little-thank-you-that-you-will-say-to-someone-for-a-little-favour/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [Do women compete for the favours of men? Yes. They've spent 5,000 years competing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-steinem/do-women-compete-for-the-favours-of-men-yes-they-ve-spent-5-000-years/) [Gloria Steinem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-steinem/) > [“New levels bring new devils, more favours means more haters”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/new-levels-bring-new-devils-more-favours-means-more-haters/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The gratitude of place-expectants is a lively sense of future favours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-walpole/the-gratitude-of-place-expectants-is-a-lively-sense-of-future-favours/) [Robert Walpole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-walpole/) > [“It might not be so unpleasant, you know, to do me one or two favours in exchange for becoming a famous authoress.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-westhaven/it-might-not-be-so-unpleasant-you-know-to-do-me-one-or-two-favours-in/) [Margaret Westhaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-westhaven/) > [Favours out of place I regard as positive injuries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/favours-out-of-place-i-regard-as-positive-injuries/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [“We must not wait for favours from Nature; our task is to wrest them from her.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivan-michurin/we-must-not-wait-for-favours-from-nature-our-task-is-to-wrest-them/) Ivan Michurin > [Love me or hate me both are in my favours..if you love me I'll always be in your heart...if you hate me I'll always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/love-me-or-hate-me-both-are-in-my-favours-if-you-love-me-i-ll-always/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [Men are never attached to you by favours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/men-are-never-attached-to-you-by-favours/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [There have been a few times when I've read a script and it's really cool but the girl character's just kind of pathetic. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-browning/there-have-been-a-few-times-when-i-ve-read-a-script-and-it-s-really/) [Emily Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-browning/) ## More by Niccolo Machiavelli > [Men generally decide upon a middle course, which is most hazardous, for they know neither how to be entirely good nor entirely bad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/men-generally-decide-upon-a-middle-course-which-is-most-hazardous-for/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [Because there are three classes of intellects: one which comprehends by itself; another which appreciates what others comprehend; and a third which neither comprehends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/because-there-are-three-classes-of-intellects-one-which-comprehends/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [It is the duty of a man of honor to teach others the good which he has not been able to do himself because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/it-is-the-duty-of-a-man-of-honor-to-teach-others-the-good-which-he/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [“Anyone who believes that new benefits make men of high station forget old injuries deceives himself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/anyone-who-believes-that-new-benefits-make-men-of-high-station-forget/) [Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [He who has once begun to live by rapine always finds reasons for taking what is not his.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/he-who-has-once-begun-to-live-by-rapine-always-finds-reasons-for/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [Everyone who wants to know what will happen ought to examine what has happened: everything in this world in any epoch has their replicas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/everyone-who-wants-to-know-what-will-happen-ought-to-examine-what-has/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [Speaking generally, men are ungrateful, fickle, hypocritical, fearful odanger and covetous ogain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/speaking-generally-men-are-ungrateful-fickle-hypocritical-fearful/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [There is nothing as likely to succeed as what the enemy believes you cannot attempt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/there-is-nothing-as-likely-to-succeed-as-what-the-enemy-believes-you/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [For the great majority of mankind are satisfied with appearance, as though they were realities and are often more influenced by the things that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/for-the-great-majority-of-mankind-are-satisfied-with-appearance-as/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [That prince is highly esteemed who conveys this impression of himself, and he who is highly esteemed is not easily conspired against; for, provided…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/that-prince-is-highly-esteemed-who-conveys-this-impression-of-himself/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [“Anyone who studies present and ancient affairs will easily see how in all cities and all peoples there still exist, and have always existed,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/anyone-who-studies-present-and-ancient-affairs-will-easily-see-how-in/) [Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [I believe that it is possible for one to praise, without concern, any man after he is dead since every reason and supervision for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/i-believe-that-it-is-possible-for-one-to-praise-without-concern-any/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [Men are always averse to enterprises in which they foresee difficulties.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/men-are-always-averse-to-enterprises-in-which-they-foresee/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [“He who causes another to become powerful ruins himself, for he brings such a power into being either by design or by force, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/he-who-causes-another-to-become-powerful-ruins-himself-for-he-brings/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [One never finds anything perfectly pure and ... exempt from danger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/one-never-finds-anything-perfectly-pure-and-exempt-from-danger/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) [Explore all 590 Niccolo Machiavelli quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) ## More Art quotes > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. 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You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) Taf Teh > [The house has to serve comfort. The work of art is revolutionary; the house is conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-loos/the-house-has-to-serve-comfort-the-work-of-art-is-revolutionary-the/) [Adolf Loos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-loos/) > [During human progress, every science is evolved out of its corresponding art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/during-human-progress-every-science-is-evolved-out-of-its/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [In literature and art memory is a synonym for invention. It is the life-blood of imagination, which faints and dies when the veins are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-aris-willmott/in-literature-and-art-memory-is-a-synonym-for-invention-it-is-the/) [Robert Aris Willmott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-aris-willmott/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. 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