Rousseau: Gratitude is a duty that should be fulfilled, but no one has the right to expect it.
Rousseau: Gratitude is a duty that should be fulfilled, but no one has the right to expect it.
In this quote, Rousseau suggests that while gratitude is a moral obligation that individuals should honor when they receive kindness or help, it is not something that can be demanded or expected from others. This implies that while we should feel thankful and express that gratitude, doing so should be a genuine and voluntary act rather than a coercive one. Rousseau emphasizes the importance of sincerity in our relationships; authentic gratitude arises from a personal sense of appreciation rather than external pressure or entitlement.
Author: Jean-Jacques Rousseau