Altruism and Cynicism

Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.

Robert J. Hanlon, in Altruism and Cynicism and Vice and Virtue

A bore is a man who deprives you of solitude without providing you with company.

Gian Vincenzo Gravina, in Altruism and Cynicism

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

I don't want any "yes-men" around me. I want everybody to tell me the truth even if it costs them their jobs.

Samuel Goldwyn, in Altruism and Cynicism

Hypocrisy is the vaseline of social intercourse.

Unknown, in Altruism and Cynicism

George Washington not only chopped down his father's cherry tree, but he also admitted doing it. Now, do you know why his father didn't punish him? Because George still had the axe in his hand.

Unknown, in Altruism and Cynicism

Familiarity breeds contempt.

Unknown, in Altruism and Cynicism

Everything is controlled by a small evil group to which, unfortunately, no one we know belongs.

Unknown, in Altruism and Cynicism

Don't tell any big lies today. Small ones can be just as effective.

Unknown, in Altruism and Cynicism

Cynics are made, not born.

Unknown, in Altruism and Cynicism

Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.

Unknown, (Chinese proverb), in Altruism and Cynicism

Beat your own and others will fear you.

Unknown, (Russian proverb), in Altruism and Cynicism

A man never stands as tall as when he kneels to help a child.

Unknown, in Altruism and Cynicism

In spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart.

Anne Frank, in Altruism and Cynicism

Cynics regard everybody as equally corrupt... Idealists regard everybody as equally corrupt, except themselves.

Robert Anton Wilson, in Altruism and Cynicism

If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments.

Earl Wilson, in Altruism and Cynicism and Life and Death

We must believe in luck. For how else can we explain the success of those we don't like?

Jean Cocteau, in Altruism and Cynicism and Success and Failure

I am free of all prejudices. I hate everyone equally.

W. C. Fields, in Altruism and Cynicism

Start every day off with a smile and get it over with.

W. C. Fields, in Altruism and Cynicism

Never give a sucker an even break and never smarten up a chump.

W. C. Fields, in Altruism and Cynicism