Who said “We seldom call anybody lazy, but such as we reckon inferior to us, and of whom we expect…”?

Verified

Bernard Mandeville. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceThe Fable of the Bees (1714)

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: The Fable of the Bees (1714).

APA

Mandeville, B. (n.d.). We seldom call anybody lazy, but such as we reckon inferior to us, and of whom we expect some service. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/25590-we-seldom-call-anybody-lazy-but-such-as/

MLA

Mandeville, Bernard. “We seldom call anybody lazy, but such as we reckon inferior to us, and of whom we expect some service.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/25590-we-seldom-call-anybody-lazy-but-such-as/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Mandeville, Bernard. “We seldom call anybody lazy, but such as we reckon inferior to us, and of whom we expect some service.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/25590-we-seldom-call-anybody-lazy-but-such-as/.