Explain the Quote: Gratitude and treachery are merely the two extremeties of the same procession?

Question

i kind of think i know what it means

but if you could break it down in human terms

that would be great

its by Mark Twain by the way

Answer 1

I believe that he is commenting on how things can go to two extremes. basically you need to have things in moderation or they go to extremes which are not good.

in this case Gratitude and treachery. in my mind both have to do with the level of happiness over an outcome.  if your extremely happy over an outcome it breeds gratitude but if you are extremely unhappy over an outcome it breeds treachery.

too much gratitude and you become a slave to the one you are grateful towards - their property almost. too much treachery and you despise them so much you end up being their enemy.

so too much of either extreme and you become a slave to your own emotions - they end up dictating you and your actions.