“Gratitude is for favors yet to be received”
“Gratitude is for favors yet to be received” is “Rule 35” by Henry Stern, the founder of NYCivic. Stern said that the quote is from Robert F. Wagner (1877-1953), the United States Senator from New York between 1927-1949. Stern was told the rule from the senator’s grandson. Robert F. Wagner III (1944-1993).
The political saying means that one can be grateful for contributing to a politician and to have “favors yet to be received.”
Wikipedia: Robert F. Wagner
Robert Ferdinand Wagner I (June 8, 1877 – May 4, 1953) was an American politician. He was a Democratic U.S. Senator from New York from 1927 to 1949.
Wikipedia: Henry Stern
Henry J. Stern (born May 1, 1935); was a member of the New York City Council from 1974 to 1983 and appointed as the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation from 1983 to 1990 and again from 1994 to 2000.
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NYCivic
On February 4, 2002, Henry J. Stern returned to the civic world as founder and president of NYCivic. In the last eight years, he has written 690 articles on public policy. He sends them to a list of people who have requested them, which now includes 14,000 subscribers.
Yonkers (NY) Tribune
October 31, 2008
More Attitude, Less Gratitude
By Henry J. Stern
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We close with two rules, which we believe are particularly pertinent to this sorry story:
Rule 35: United States Senator Robert F. Wagner (1877-1953) made this observation: “Gratitude is for favors yet to be received.”
That rule was passed along to me to me by my City Council colleague and friend, the Senator’s late grandson, Bobby Wagner (1944-93). Bobby was one of the best public servants of his generation. His early death was a great tragedy.
New York Civic
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
Echo and Narcissus
Politicians Expect Submission From ‘Friends’ and Reporters
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“Gratitude is for favors yet to be received.” Rule 35. Senator Robert F. Wagner told it to his son, Mayor Wagner, who told it to his son, Deputy Mayor Wagner, who told it to me. A related saying on the subject of patronage is that every job you fill gets you nine enemies and one ingrate.