“Act with kindness but do not expect gratitude.”

— Confucius

Last update June 3, 2021. History

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Confucius 269

Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher -551–-479 BC

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Source: Reported in Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919), stating "Hazlitt, in his Wit and Humour, says, 'This is Walpole’s phrase'". Compare: "La reconnaissance de la plupart des hommes n'est qu'une secrète envie de recevoir de plus grands bienfaits" (translated: "The gratitude of most men is but a secret desire of receiving greater benefits"), François de La Rochefoucauld, Maxim 298.