John Donne Quotes

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.

When someone is trying to interpret something for you, they always have an agenda.

People only speak to get something.

He that communicates his secret to another makes himself that other's slave.

If you allow men to use you for your own purposes, they will use you for theirs.

Politics is the art of putting people under obligation to you.

Gratitude is merely the secret hope of further favors.

I know on which side my bread is buttered.

But Rhett, you mustn't bring me anything else so expensive. It's awfully kind of you, but I really couldn't accept anything else." "Indeed? Well, I shall bring you presents so long as it pleases me and so long as I see things that will enhance your charms. I shall bring you dark-green watered silk for a frock to match the bonnet. And I warn you that I am not kind. I am tempting you with bonnets and bangles and leading you into a pit. Always remember I never do anything without reason and I never give anything without expecting something in return. I always get paid.

The gift is for you...The surprise is for me.

Agree with everything, explain nothing, then do what is best for you.

Choices always were a problem for you. What you need is someone strong to guide you. Deaf and blind and dumb and born to follow, what you need is someone strong to use you - like me.

As our power over others increases, we become less free; for to retain it, we must make ourselves its servants.

You can maintain power over people, as long as you give them something. Rob a man of everything, and that man will no longer be in your power.

Before people will do anything, they have got to eat. And if you are really looking for a way for people to lean on you and to be dependent on you, in terms of their cooperation with you, it seems to me that food dependence would be terrific.

We think that we are generous because we credit our neighbor with those virtues that are likely to benefit ourselves. We praise the banker that we may overdraw our account, and find good qualities in the highwayman in the hope that he may spare our pockets.

For my own good. Anytime anyone had ever used those words to me, they hadn't had the slightest clue what ‘my own good’ truly was

We know that there are chiselers. At the bottom of every case of criticism and obstruction we have found some selfish interest, some private axe to grind.

Kindness n: A brief preface to ten volumes of exaction.

Koschei, Koschei,” she whispered. “What would I have been if I had never seen the birds? I am no one; I am nothing. I am a blank paper on which you and your magic wrote a girl. Just the kind of girl you wanted, all hungry and hurt and needing. A machine for loving you. Nothing in me was not made by you.

There are many special interests skilful at manipulating circumstances and communications in such a way as to benefit their own ends and not necessarily the public good.

The usual pretext of those who make others unhappy is that they do it for their own good.

He that gives me small gifts would have me live.

Interest makes all seem reason that leads to it.