How many times have I heard that remark when someone has taken a bit of advantage of my kindness.

I agree with Jacques Attali's message and note that we use two words in French to talk about ‘kindness’.

Both terms describe positive qualities and are often used to describe behaviour or character traits that are appreciated in the way we behave with others.

The differences are interesting.

KINDNESS is generally used to describe a moral or ethical aspect of a person, often associated with virtue and selfless benevolence.
Ex: The goodness of his heart.

GENTILLESSNESS is often used to describe specific actions or character traits related to gentleness and courtesy. It is an interpersonal quality, emphasising pleasant and respectful social interactions, without necessarily having as deep a moral dimension as kindness. Ex: An act of kindness.

Example to illustrate
- Kindness: A doctor is kind if he treats his patients well (professional efficiency). His kindness is shown if he goes the extra mile to help patients without expecting anything in return (generosity and compassion).
- Kindness: A colleague is kind if he or she is always polite and ready to help. Their kindness is shown when they help you with your tasks even when they don't have to.

I ALWAYS WANT TO BE KIND, BUT SOMETIMES I'M JUST A JERK 😉