July 12, 2025

Do not let the ingratitude of many men deter you from doing good to others. To do good without ulterior motive is a generous and almost divine thing. Moreover, while doing so, you may come across someone so grateful that he makes up for all the ingratitude of others.

Francesco Guicciardini (1483–1540), Italian historian and statesman, Ricordi, C, 11

How many such grateful men have you come across in your career? Do you think of them still, with gratitude?

In dealing with every sort of constituent, the odds of encountering a grateful one who will own up to such feeling (and usually only when no one else is around) is one in ten, no 20. No politician can survive on gratitude alone, so many must have it laced with other considerations. So, dear reader, to keep politicians honest, express gratitude often—but only when it is earned.