Sherry Argov Quotes

No man is so much a fool as not to have wit enough sometimes to be a knave; nor any so cunning a knave as not to have the weakness sometimes to play the fool.

The fellow that agrees with everything you say is either a fool or he is getting ready to skin you.

Nobody speaks the truth when there is something they must have.

I was nice to the people in the Philippines for the two and a half years I was there, because I knew eventually I'd have to kiss up to them so my grandchildren could have toys.

The diplomat holds all acts honorable which bring him success, all things are righteous which serve his ends. If cheating is necessary, he will cheat; if lying is useful, he will lie; if bribery helps, he will bribe; if murder serves, he will order murder; if burglary, seduction, arson or forgery brings success nearer, all and each of these will be done.

When a man speaks of the need for realism one may be sure that this is always the prelude to some bloody deed.

Hell hath no fury like a vested interest masquerading as a moral principle.

When you want to help people, you tell them the truth. When you want to help yourself, you tell them what they want to hear.

The reply is, that one ought to be both feared and loved, but as it is difficult for the two to go together, it is much safer to be feared than loved, if one of the two has to be wanting. For it may be said of men in general that they are ungrateful, voluble, dissemblers, anxious to avoid danger, and covetous of gain; as long as you benefit them, they are entirely yours; they offer you their blood, their goods, their life, and their children, as I have before said, when the necessity is remote; but when it approaches, they revolt.

Self-interest speaks all sorts of tongues and plays all sorts of characters, even that of disinterestedness

The cloven-foot of self-interest was now and then to be seen aneath the robe of public principle.

Never trust anyone without a vested interest.

Men will always be powerfully influenced in their Opinions and Actions by what appears to be their particular Interest.

You've just got to be wary around people. You don't know what they want from you. Just in L.A., people have questionable motives. Everybody's kind of got an angle. You've got to be aware of that.

I know where my bread is buttered, and for the most part, I'm better off doing my own thing.

I don't think it's good to interact with people with a certain agenda in mind.

White lies keep social dignity intact and are far more prevalent than most people realize. Several studies have found that an average person is lied to from 10 to 200 times a day - mostly just to keep a conversation going, to avoid conflict, or to establish a connection with someone.

Now, I know a lot of things in the big man's world are not what they seem: a lot of people are out for themselves, and you can't always trust what someone says.

Football is a relatively small industry and there are times, while you want to be honest, that it is best to pull a few punches. You never know, you might need to work with that person again.

Managers can sometimes hold players back for their own benefit.

People are always trying to be on top. And not always with a macabre agenda, but I think that people are desperately trying to remain in control, rather than being honest.

Christopher discovered that you dealt with obnoxious masters and most older boys the way you dealt with governesses: you quite politely told them the truth in the way they wanted to hear it, so that they thought they had won and left you in peace.

I have always found the word 'Europe' on the lips of those who wanted something from others which they dared not demand in their own names!

There is hook in every benefit, that sticks in his jaws that takes that benefit, and draws him whither the benefactor will.