How wretched is the person who hangs on by the favors of the powerful.
The person whose doors I enter with most pleasure, and quit with most regret, never did me the smallest favor.
Our friends are generally ready to do everything for us, except the very thing we wish them to do.
The pleasure we derive from doing favors is partly in the feeling it gives us that we are not altogether worthless. It is a pleasant surprise to ourselves.
To accept a favor is to forfeit liberty.
— Laber
Benefits should be conferred gradually; and in that way they will taste better.
To a well deserving person God will show favor. To an ill deserving person He will simply be just.
— Plaut
Never ask a favor of someone till they have had their dinner.
— Saying
O how wretched is that poor man that hangs on princes favors! There is betwixt that smile we would aspire to, that sweet aspect of princes, and their ruin, more pangs and fears than wars or women have, and when he falls, he falls like Lucifer, never to hope again.
The person who receives the most favors is the one who knows how to return them.
To refuse graciously is to confer a favor.
When you confer a benefit on those worthy of it, you confer a favor on all.