He who gives himself entirely to his fellow-men appears to them useless and selfish; but he who gives himself partially to them is pronounced a benefactor and philanthropist.

Summary

This quote highlights the paradoxical nature of how individuals perceive selflessness and altruism. It suggests that when someone devotes themselves entirely to helping others, they might be seen as redundant or self-serving. On the other hand, when people only partially dedicate themselves to assisting others, they are often praised as generous and philanthropic. The quote implies that there can be a fine line between being perceived as genuinely selfless and being considered egotistical or unwanted.

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