"A large part of altruism, even when..." - Quote by H L Mencken
A large part of altruism, even when it is perfectly honest, is grounded upon the fact that it is uncomfortable to have unhappy people about one.
More by H L Mencken
“When I hear artists or authors making fun of businessmen, I think of a regiment in which the band makes fun of the cooks.”
“Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard.”
“On one issue, at least, men and women agree. They both distrust women.”
More on Altruism
“The prudent man does himself good; the virtuous one does it to other men.”
“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.”
“Service which is rendered without joy helps neither the servant nor the served. But all other pleasures and possessions pale into nothingness before service which is rendered in a spirit of joy.”
More on Self Interest
“We speak little if not egged on by vanity.”
“In a seriously intended intellectual emancipation a person's mute passions and cravings also hope to find their advantage.”
“If we lacked curiosity, we should do less for the good of our neighbor. But, under the name of duty or pity, curiosity steals into the home of the unhappy and the needy. Perhaps even in the famous mother-love there is a good deal of curiosity.”