La Rochefoucauld, Francois -- Réflexions ou sentences et maximes morales [Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims], ¶317 (1665-1678) [tr. Bund/Friswell (1871)]

Dave — Sun, 20 Sep 2026 05:42:08 +0000

’Tis a small misfortune to oblige an ungrateful man; but it is unbearable to be obliged by a scoundrel.

[Ce n’est pas un grand malheur d’obliger des ingrats, mais c’en est un insupportable d’être obligé à un malhonnête homme.]

François VI, duc de La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680) French epigrammatist, memoirist, noble
Réflexions ou sentences et maximes morales [Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims], ¶317 (1665-1678) [tr. Bund/Friswell (1871)]

First present in the 3rd (1671) edition.

(Source (French)). Other translations:

The misfortune of obliging unthankful People is no very great misfortune, but to be obliged to a Knave, is one not to be endured.
[tr. Stanhope (1694), ¶317]

It is no great misfortune to oblige ingrateful people, but an insupportable one to be forced to be under an obligation to a scoundrel.
[pub. Donaldson (1783), ¶251; ed. Lepoittevin-Lacroix (1797), ¶292]

It is no great misfortune to oblige an ungrateful person; but an insupportable one to be under an obligation to a scoundrel.
[ed. Carvill (1835), ¶220]

It is not a great misfortune to oblige ungrateful people, but it is an unsupportable one to be under an obligation to a vulgar man.
[ed. Gowens (1851), ¶327]

It is no great misfortune to put an ingrate under an obligation, but it is very great misfortune to be indebted to a dishonest person.
[tr. Heard (1917), ¶317]

It is no great hardship to meet with ingratitude for our own favours; but intolerable to be indebted for favours to a scoundrel.
[tr. Stevens (1939), ¶317]

Ingratitude from those we have helped is no great misfortune: but to be obligated to a cad is quite intolerable.
[tr. FitzGibbon (1957), ¶317]

It is no great tragedy to do ungrateful people favors, but it is unbearable to be indebted to a scoundrel.
[tr. Kronenberger (1959), ¶317]

It is no great misfortune to have one's kindness repaid by ingratitude, but it is intolerable to be beholden to a scoundrel.
[tr. Tancock (1959), ¶317]

It is no great misfortune to oblige an ungrateful man; but it is unbearable to be obliged to a reprobate.
[tr. Whichello (2016), ¶317]

It is no great misfortune to receive ingratitude for favors we bestow, but it is unbearable to be indebted to a scoundrel.
[tr. Chandler, ¶317]

Shakespeare, William -- Twelfth Night, Act 3, sc. 4, l. 372ff (3.4.372–375) (1601)

Dave — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 16:28:00 +0000

VIOLA: I hate ingratitude more in a man
Than lying, vainness, babbling drunkenness,
Or any taint of vice whose strong corruption
Inhabits our frail blood.

William Shakespeare (1564–1616) English dramatist and poet
Twelfth Night, Act 3, sc. 4, l. 372ff (3.4.372–375) (1601)

Franklin, Benjamin -- Poor Richard’s Almanack (Apr 1751)

Dave — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 16:42:16 +0000

Most People return small Favors, acknowledge middling ones, and repay great ones with Ingratitude.

Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher, aphorist
Poor Richard’s Almanack (Apr 1751)

Fuller, Thomas (1654) -- Introductio ad Prudentiam, Vol. 1, # 1186 (1725)

Dave — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:18:55 +0000

To keep up and improve Friendship, thou must be willing to receive a Kindness, as well as to do one.

Thomas Fuller (1654–1734) English physician, preacher, aphorist, writer
Introductio ad Prudentiam, Vol. 1, # 1186 (1725)

WIST Quotations

La Rochefoucauld, Francois -- Réflexions ou sentences et maximes morales [Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims], ¶317 (1665-1678) [tr. Bund/Friswell (1871)]

Shakespeare, William -- Twelfth Night, Act 3, sc. 4, l. 372ff (3.4.372–375) (1601)

Franklin, Benjamin -- Poor Richard’s Almanack (Apr 1751)

Fuller, Thomas (1654) -- Introductio ad Prudentiam, Vol. 1, # 1186 (1725)