Altruism and Cynicism

A reasonable man adapts himself to suit his environment. An unreasonable man persists in attempting to adapt his environment to suit himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man.

 George Bernard Shaw, in  Altruism and Cynicism and  Vice and Virtue

A learned County Court judge in a book of memoirs recently said that the overwhelming amount of his time on the bench was taken up "with people who are persuaded by persons whom they do not know to enter into contracts that they do not understand to purchase goods that they do not want with money that they have not got."

 Lord Greene, in  Altruism and Cynicism and  Law and Politics

The pure and simple truth is rarely pure and never simple.

 Oscar Wilde, in  Altruism and Cynicism

Though I am not naturally honest, I am so sometimes by chance.

 William Shakespeare, in  Altruism and Cynicism

Tact is the ability to describe others as they see themselves.

 Abraham Lincoln, in  Altruism and Cynicism

Everybody wants to save the earth; nobody wants to help Mom do the dishes.

 P. J. O'Rourke, All the Trouble in the World, in  Altruism and Cynicism and  Work and Recreation

Please don't lie to me, unless you're absolutely sure I'll never find out the truth.

 Ashleigh Brilliant, Brilliant Thoughts (copyright info: www.ashleighbrilliant.com), in  Altruism and Cynicism

My opinions may have changed, but not the fact that I am right.

 Ashleigh Brilliant, Brilliant Thoughts (copyright info: www.ashleighbrilliant.com), in  Altruism and Cynicism

I either want less corruption, or more chance to participate in it.

 Ashleigh Brilliant, Brilliant Thoughts (copyright info: www.ashleighbrilliant.com), in  Altruism and Cynicism and  Law and Politics

No guest is so welcome in a friend's house that he will not become a nuisance after three days.

 Titus Maccius Plautus, in  Altruism and Cynicism

I know the world isn't fair, but why isn't it ever unfair in my favor?

 Bill Watterson, Calvin and Hobbes, in  Altruism and Cynicism

Heck, what's a little extortion among friends?

 Bill Watterson, Calvin and Hobbes, in  Altruism and Cynicism

A little consideration, a little thought for others, makes all the difference.

 Joan Powers, Pooh's Little Instruction Book, in  Altruism and Cynicism

If you want to imagine the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face forever.

 George Orwell, 1984, in  Altruism and Cynicism

By means of shrewd lies, unremittingly repeated, it is possible to make people believe that heaven is hell -- and hell heaven. The greater the lie, the more readily it will be believed.

 Adolf Hitler, Mein Kampf, in  Altruism and Cynicism

Kindness is the beginning of cruelty.

 Frank Herbert, Dune, in  Altruism and Cynicism

Everything is permitted.

 Fyodor Dostoyevsky, The Brothers Karamazov, in  Altruism and Cynicism

Have a strong mind and a soft heart.

 Anthony J. D'Angelo, The College Blue Book, in  Altruism and Cynicism

Give more than take.

 Anthony J. D'Angelo, The College Blue Book, in  Altruism and Cynicism

Politeness: The most acceptable hypocrisy.

 Ambrose Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary, in  Altruism and Cynicism