A great many men's gratitude is nothing but a secret desire to hook in more valuable kindnesses hereafter.

Gratitude is merely the secret hope of further favors.

As great minds have the faculty of saying a great deal in a few words, so lesser minds have a talent of talking much, and saying nothing.

The gratitude of most men is but a secret desire of receiving greater benefits.

Though men are apt to flatter and exalt themselves with their great achievements, yet these are, in truth, very often owing not so much to design as chance.

Politeness is a desire to be treated politely, and to be esteemed polite oneself.