"感謝は犬が患う病である"
— Joseph Stalin
Simplified Meaning:
People often look down on others who are overly thankful, like how some think of dogs that show unconditional gratitude when you give them the smallest treat or gesture. It's almost as if being too grateful is seen as a weakness or an undesirable trait. In real life, this is like when someone keeps saying "thank you" and is really appreciative for little things, but others perceive it as them trying too hard to please or being overly submissive. For example, imagine a person who constantly helps out at work and always shows sincere gratitude for any help they receive. Some colleagues might think they are overly eager to please and might not take them seriously. The idea is that, just like how a dog shows boundless gratitude for small acts, people worry that expressing too much thankfulness could make them seem less confident or strong. However, someone can apply this wisdom to balance their behavior. While it's good to show appreciation, it's also important to maintain self-respect and confidence. Acknowledge the help you get, but don't feel like you need to go overboard with gratitude to the point where others might take advantage of you or see you as weak. Finding the right balance shows that you are grateful yet strong and self-assured.