Aphorisms Galore!

Altruism and Cynicism

173 aphorisms  ·  15 comments

Aphorisms in This Category

tiny.ag/itutlzy5  ·   Fair (242 ratings)  ·  submitted 1997

The power of accurate observation is frequently called cynicism by those who don't have it.

George Bernard Shaw, in Altruism and Cynicism

tiny.ag/7hdzmwue  ·   Fair (246 ratings)  ·  submitted 1997

It is dangerous to be sincere unless you are also stupid.

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

tiny.ag/ixldmygb  ·   Fair (287 ratings)  ·  submitted 1997

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

tiny.ag/lvmeyokh  ·   Fair (340 ratings)  ·  submitted 1997

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

William Shakespeare, in Altruism and Cynicism

tiny.ag/vgoawlvx  ·   Fair (357 ratings)  ·  submitted 1997

How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world.

William Shakespeare, in Altruism and Cynicism

tiny.ag/q93dw7gi  ·   Fair (90 ratings)  ·  submitted 1997

Until he extends his circle of compassion to include all living things, man will not himself find peace.

Albert Schweitzer, in Altruism and Cynicism

tiny.ag/euochyxn  ·   Fair (94 ratings)  ·  submitted 1997

The secret of success is sincerity. Once you can fake that you've got it made.

Daniel Schorr, in Altruism and Cynicism and Success and Failure

tiny.ag/pjkyl6oi  ·   Fair (121 ratings)  ·  submitted 1997

An ignorant person is one who doesn't know what you have just found out.

Will Rogers, in Altruism and Cynicism

tiny.ag/dxokyfu8  ·   Fair (95 ratings)  ·  submitted 1997

It's better to be quotable than to be honest.

Tom Stoppard, in Altruism and Cynicism

tiny.ag/t4nrvjai  ·   Fair (859 ratings)  ·  submitted 1997

Pooh's Little Instruction Book (hardcover)

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

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

tiny.ag/pl60skge  ·   Fair (52 ratings)  ·  submitted 1997

Hope is nature's veil for hiding truth's nakedness.

Alfred Nobel, in Altruism and Cynicism

tiny.ag/4eq50acu  ·   Fair (412 ratings)  ·  submitted 1997

All lies are told with a straight face. It is truth that's said with a dismissive giggle.

P. J. O'Rourke, in Altruism and Cynicism

tiny.ag/458vctqs  ·   Fair (314 ratings)  ·  submitted 1997

I have discovered that all human evil comes from this, man's being unable to sit still in a room.

Blaise Pascal, in Altruism and Cynicism

tiny.ag/fjkyccqy  ·   Fair (65 ratings)  ·  submitted 1997

In this world, there is one terrible thing, and that is that everyone has his reasons.

Jean Renoir, in Altruism and Cynicism

tiny.ag/lhf5xdsj  ·   Fair (81 ratings)  ·  submitted 1997

Beware of altruism. It is based on self-deception, the root of all evil.

Ayn Rand, (commencement speech to Naval Academy), in Altruism and Cynicism

tiny.ag/ijcqpq8f  ·   Fair (119 ratings)  ·  submitted 1997

Do good by stealth.

Ray Prince, in Altruism and Cynicism

tiny.ag/k40t75a9  ·   Fair (885 ratings)  ·  submitted 1997

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

tiny.ag/3vps8ao4  ·   Fair (981 ratings)  ·  submitted 1998 by Caleb Ronsen

1984 (paperback)

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

George Orwell, 1984, in Altruism and Cynicism

tiny.ag/aoh5h6tb  ·   Fair (1649 ratings)  ·  submitted 1999

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

tiny.ag/f9zmepch  ·   Fair (46 ratings)  ·  submitted 1997

He is one of those people who would be enormously improved by death.

H. H. Munro, in Altruism and Cynicism