--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We think that we are generous because we…" description: "\"We think that we are generous because we credit our neighbor with those virtues that are likely to benefit ourselves. We praise the banker that we may ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b0/oscar-wilde-16_accounts_we-think-that-we-are-generous-because-we_923543.jpg" --- # We think that we are generous because we credit our… ![“We think that we are generous because we credit our neighbor with those virtues that are likely to benefit ourselves. We praise the banker that we may overdraw our account, and find good qualities in the highwayman in the hope that he may spare our pockets.” quote by Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b0/oscar-wilde-16_accounts_we-think-that-we-are-generous-because-we_923543.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b0/oscar-wilde-16_accounts_we-think-that-we-are-generous-because-we_923543.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b0/oscar-wilde-16_accounts_we-think-that-we-are-generous-because-we_923543.jpg) > “We think that we are generous because we credit our neighbor with those virtues that are likely to benefit ourselves. We praise the banker that we may overdraw our account, and find good qualities in the highwayman in the hope that he may spare our pockets.” [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People tend to attribute positive traits to others when they expect personal benefit, using praise as a self‑serving strategy. **In simple terms:** We praise others to gain personal advantage. Key Takeaway Recognize self‑interest in compliments. Themes self‑interest social perception morality Mood cautious reflective Type observational critical When to use this quote - networking - business negotiations - political alliances - personal relationships Key Concepts reciprocity projection egoism Questions to Reflect On - Do you praise others for genuine respect or personal gain? - How does this bias affect your judgments? A Different Perspective Compliments may be insincere, undermining trust. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accounts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accounts/) [Bankers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bankers/) [Benefits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/benefits/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Credit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/credit/) [Generous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generous/) [Generous Credit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generous-credit-1448359/) [Good quality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-quality/) [Highwaymen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/highwaymen/) [Kindness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kindness/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Neighbor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/neighbor/) [Neighbor Virtues](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/neighbor-virtues-1448360/) [Pockets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pockets/) [Praise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praise/) [Praise Banker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praise-banker-413285/) [Quality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quality/) [Spares](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spares/) [Think Generous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-generous-828211/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) ## Related quotes > [“The basis of optimism is sheer terror. We think that we are generous because we credit our neighbour with the possession of those virtues…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/the-basis-of-optimism-is-sheer-terror-we-think-that-we-are-generous/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [“The reason we all like to think so well of others is that we are all afraid for ourselves. The basis of optimism is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/the-reason-we-all-like-to-think-so-well-of-others-is-that-we-are-all-3/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [“The reason we all like to think so well of others is that we are all afraid for ourselves. The basis of optimism is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/the-reason-we-all-like-to-think-so-well-of-others-is-that-we-are-all/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Be generous with the credit for your achievements. The more other people feel that they are gaining from your success, the more they will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavius-black/be-generous-with-the-credit-for-your-achievements-the-more-other/) [Octavius Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavius-black/) > [I do not subscribe to the 'Trump is crazy like a fox' thing. I think that's being too generous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-plame/i-do-not-subscribe-to-the-trump-is-crazy-like-a-fox-thing-i-think/) [Valerie Plame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-plame/) > [I don't think I'm generous enough to be the straight guy. I sort of make my own way and make my own statement. Do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pamela-stephenson/i-don-t-think-i-m-generous-enough-to-be-the-straight-guy-i-sort-of/) [Pamela Stephenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pamela-stephenson/) > [People who think they're generous to a fault usually think that's their only fault.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/people-who-think-they-re-generous-to-a-fault-usually-think-that-s/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [After a good quality dinner one will be able to forgive anybody, still one's own relations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/after-a-good-quality-dinner-one-will-be-able-to-forgive-anybody-still/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [When the highwayman holds his gun to your head, you turn your valuables over to him. You 'consent' alright, but you do so because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-berkman/when-the-highwayman-holds-his-gun-to-your-head-you-turn-your/) [Alexander Berkman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-berkman/) > [I have known some grim bells, with not a single joyous note in the whole peal, so forced to hurry for a human festival,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-meynell/i-have-known-some-grim-bells-with-not-a-single-joyous-note-in-the/) [Alice Meynell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-meynell/) > [In my early 20s, I was buying Kristofferson records. I loved his acting; then I found out all the songs he wrote. I loved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-dorff/in-my-early-20s-i-was-buying-kristofferson-records-i-loved-his-acting/) [Stephen Dorff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-dorff/) > [This villainous heterogenous mass of ocean highwaymen are the very ejectment of the four quarters of the globe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-earle/this-villainous-heterogenous-mass-of-ocean-highwaymen-are-the-very/) [Peter Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-earle/) > [The kingly office is entitled to no respect. It was originally procured by the highwayman's methods. It remains a perpetuated crime, can never be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/the-kingly-office-is-entitled-to-no-respect-it-was-originally/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [“In medieval times, contrary to popular belief, most knights were bandits, mercenaries, lawless brigands, skinners, highwaymen, and thieves. The supposed chivalry of Charlemagne and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tod-wodicka/in-medieval-times-contrary-to-popular-belief-most-knights-were/) [Tod Wodicka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tod-wodicka/) > [The highwayman takes solely upon himself the responsibility, danger, and crime of his own act. 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It makes me far too conceited.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/i-don-t-at-all-like-knowing-what-people-say-of-me-behind-my-back-it/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [“Alles Populäre ist falsch.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/alles-popul-re-ist-falsch/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [“If these elements of beauty are real, the whole thing simply appeals to our sense of dramatic effect. Suddenly we find that we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/if-these-elements-of-beauty-are-real-the-whole-thing-simply-appeals/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [To love one's self is the beginning of a life-long romance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/to-love-one-s-self-is-the-beginning-of-a-life-long-romance/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [“Those who find beautiful meanings in beautiful things are the cultivated. 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