“People who bite the hand that feeds them usually lick the boot that kicks them.” — Eric Hoffer
(I don’t know. Do ingratitude and cowardice necessarily go hand-in-hand? Neither trait qualifies as a virtue, but I’m not so sure these personality flaws go in tandem. What do you guys think? Be well and do good, friends.) — YUR
I agree, ingratitude and servility don’t necessarily go together. I’m not sure where this quote came from, but Hoffer’s big theme (“The True Believer”) was about why people readily joined totalitarian/ authoritarian movements, specifically Nazism and Stalinism. (Can we suggest Trumpism?) I imagine biting the hand, and then licking the boot, are two essential steps in joining a mass, fanatical movement.
maybe a person whose bullying behavior toward his caretaker (or say a wife abuser) covers for a deep cowardice…..so when he encounters a bigger bully, he succumbs to his fear ?????
Context is always helpful, huh? Thanks for replying, guys! — YUR