"The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good." - Samuel Johnson

True character is revealed in how we treat those who offer us no advantage. When we extend kindness, respect, and dignity to someone who cannot repay us with power, wealth, connections, or favors, we demonstrate the depth of our humanity.

Johnson's quote reminds us that authentic virtue isn't transactional. It's easy to be generous and attentive toward those who can advance our interests. The real test comes when we interact with the marginalized, the vulnerable, or the overlooked—those society might consider "unimportant."

This principle applies across all contexts. How do we treat service workers? The elderly? The homeless? Those with different abilities? The answer reflects our moral compass more accurately than any public declaration of our values ever could.

Treating others with dignity regardless of their usefulness to us isn't just morally right—it's deeply fulfilling. It connects us to our shared humanity and builds a more compassionate world. Through such actions, we honor both ourselves and others.

The wisdom in Johnson's words endures because it cuts through pretense to reveal what truly matters: not what we gain, but what we give.