“I have sometimes thought there could be no stronger testimony in favor of Religion or against temporal Enjoyments even the most rational and manly than for men who occupy the most honorable and gainful departments and are rising in reputation and wealth, publicly to declare their unsatisfactoriness by becoming fervent Advocates in the cause of Christ, & I wish you may give in your Evidence in this way. Such instances have seldom occurred, therefore they would be more striking and would be instead of a "Cloud of Witnesses.” MenWayGivingMaySometimesWould BeWishCausesChristWealthBecomingEvidenceStrongerCloudsFavorsRationalReputationInstanceWitnessEnjoymentRisingDepartmentHonorableTestimonyWish YouManlyFervent Book:The Papers of James Madison Source: The Papers of James Madison
“When a friend is carried to his grave, we at once find excuses for every weakness, and palliation of every fault. We recollect a thousand endearments, which before glided off our minds without impression, a thousand favors unrepaid, a thousand duties unperformed; and wish, vainly wish, for his return, not so much that we may receive as that we may bestow happiness, and recompense that kindness which before we never understood.” MindMayDeathWishKindnessDutyReturnThousandUnderstoodWeaknessFaultsExcuseFavorsGravesImpressionRecompenseEndearment Book:The Wisdom of the Rambler, Adventurer, and Idler Source: The Wisdom of the Rambler, Adventurer, and Idler
“All men, or most men, wish what is noble but choose what is profitable; and while it is noble to render a service not with an eye to receiving one in return, it is profitable to receive one. One ought therefore, if one can, to return the equivalent of services received, and to do so willingly; for one ought not to make a man one's friend if one is unwilling to return his favors.” IfsMenEyeWishHuman NatureReturnOughtNobleFavorsReceivingProfitableUnwilling Author:Aristotle
“It is a very high mind to which gratitude is not a painful sensation. If you wish to please, you will find it wiser to receive, solicit even, favors, than accord them; for the vanity of the obligor is always flattered, that of the obligee rarely.” IfsMindWishGratitudePleasePainfulFavorsVanitySensationsWiserAccordFlattered Author:Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton