March 31, 2025

We often forgive those who bore us, but we cannot forgive those whom we bore.

François, Duc de la Rochefoucauld, Maxims (1665), in The Cynic’s Lexicon, Jonathon Green, ed. (London: 1986), p. 120

Who bores you? Whom do you bore? Who is better at the job of boring—them or you? And, if you, what can you do about it?

Suffering the boredom of inferiors was once part of what is called noblesse oblige—aristocrats being gracious to their inferiors, even to the point of being bored. Hence, the same noble’s resentment of those above him whom he bored. (vide Kissinger, February 8 and Muggeridge, May 31)