Lawrence O'Donnell Quotes

I feel like, especially in Hollywood, you meet people with ulterior motives, who are trying to get something from you.

I can't think of anything worse than trying to schmooze someone with the idea that you're an actor.

Some people know they won't get any attention unless they throw in someone else's name.

The love of admiration leads to fraud, much more than the love of commendation; but, on the other hand, the latter is much more likely to spoil our: good actions by the substitution of an inferior motive.

Flattery and deceit are the darlings of great men, and so with these men spread the butter on thick, if you want to get something out of them, otherwise you'll come home to me with a full belly and an empty purse.

Sucking up to the biggies won't get us anywhere.

Those who joined us for selfish personal reasons, for a career or other motives will be the ones to leave.

The egoist is fooled by no ideals: he discards them or uses them, as may suit his own interest.

I've never really understood people who climb socially by sucking up. It seems like the least efficient way to climb, and also the most psychologically debilitating.

Hollywood 'friends' are only after one thing. They're looking out for the next big thing, and they don't want to miss out on you just in case.

There are few things in which we deceive ourselves more than in the esteem we profess to entertain for our firends. It is little better than a piece of quackery. The truth is, we think of them as we please, that is, as they please or displease us.

A friend advises in his interest, not yours.

Everybody has an agenda.

We do not praise others, ordinarily, but in order to be praised ourselves.

L.A. is a very illusory place. You don't really know who your friends are here because more often than not, it seems like it's just about getting ahead at any cost.

The fawning courtier and the surly squire often mean the same thing,--each his own interest.

To speak ill of others is a dishonest way of praising ourselves. Nothing is often a good thing to say, and always a clever thing to say.

The man of petty ambition if invited to dinner will be eager to be set next his host.

The men that is now is only all palaver and what they can get out of you.

Kindness is weak when you use it in a self-serving manner. Self-serving kindness is thin - people can see right through it when a kind leader has an agenda.

The petty man is eager to make boasts, yet desires that others should believe in him. He enthusiastically engages in deception, yet wants others to have affection for him. He conducts himself like an animal, yet wants others to think well of him.

If you run for mayor, people say you're being egotistical. If you decide you won't run for mayor, people say you're being self-centered and egotistical.

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

We really can't tell the difference between people who might seek power for some greater good and people who seek power just to aggrandize themselves. For example, all revolutionaries say that they want to uplift the downtrodden.

One may define flattery as a base companionship which is most advantageous to the flatterer.