It is well known to all great men, that by conferring an obligation they do not always procure a friend, but are certain of creating many enemies.
Henry FieldingRead
It is not enough that your designs, nay that your actions, are intrinsically good, you must take care they shall appear so.
Interpretation
Good intentions and actions need to be perceived positively by others to be truly effective.
This quote emphasizes the importance of not only having good intentions or actions but also ensuring that they are perceived as such by others. It suggests that the impact of our actions is not solely determined by their nature but also by how they are interpreted by those around us. Therefore, it's crucial to consider how our behaviors are presented and understood by others, as appearance can influence acceptance and effectiveness.
In practice
In a discussion about ethics in business, this quote can highlight the need for transparency.
It is well known to all great men, that by conferring an obligation they do not always procure a friend, but are certain of creating many enemies.
Let no man be sorry he has done good, because others concerned with him have done evil! If a man has acted right, he has done well, though along; if wrong, the sanction of all mankind will not justify him.
A newspaper consists of just the same number of words, whether there be any news in it or not.
He grew weary of this condescension, and began to treat the opinions of his wife with that haughtiuess and insolence, which none but those who deserve some contempt themselves can bestow, and those only who deserve no contempt can bear.
Now in reality, the world has paid too great a compliment to critics, and has imagined them to be men of much greater profundity than they really are.
It is much easier to make good men wise, than to make bad men good.
Be open minded, but not so open minded that your brains fall out.
For the most part, we inherit our opinions. We are the heirs of habits and mental customs.
Believing is a fine thing, but placing those beliefs into execution is a test of strength. Many are those who talk like the roar of the sea, gut their lives are shallow and stagnant, like the rotting marshes. Many are those who lift their heads above the mountain tops, but their spirits remain dormant in the obscurity of the caverns.
Everything that you do under compulsion goes to build up attachment.
You have to make the rules, not follow them
I had to decide that, you know what, I don't know who the hell I am or what I'm doing, but I do know that historically and scientifically and anecdotally, and anyone who is not an idiot knows, that waking up early and starting the day off with a nice, simple routine is a healthy and productive way to live one's life.
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