The worst of charity is that the lives you are asked to preserve are not worth preserving.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
How often it is difficult to be wisely charitable—to do good without multiplying the sources of evil. To give alms is nothing unless you give thought also.—It is written, not “blessed is he that feedeth the poor,” but “blessed is he that considereth the poor.” A little thought and a little kindness are often worth more than a great deal of money.
—John Ruskin (1819–1900) English Writer, Art Critic
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nations wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan to do all which may achieve and cherish a just, and a lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
It is not what we get. But who we become, what we contribute… that gives meaning to our lives.
—Tony Robbins (b.1960) American Self-Help Author, Entrepreneur
Nothing truly can be termed my own, but what I make my own by using well; those deeds of charity which we have done, shall stay forever with us; and that wealth which we have so bestowed, we only keep; the other is not ours.
—Conyers Middleton (1683–1750) English Clergyman, Theologian
Trust not the horse, O Trojans. Be it what it may, I fear the Grecians even when they offer gifts.
—Virgil (70–19 BCE) Roman Poet
I love my fellow creatures—I do all the good I can—yet everybody says I’m such a disagreeable man!
—W. S. Gilbert (1836–1911) English Dramatist, Librettist, Poet, Illustrator
The Liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
When you give of your possessions, you give but little; it is when you give of yourself that you truly give.
—Kahlil Gibran (1883–1931) Lebanese-born American Philosopher, Poet, Painter, Theologian, Sculptor
The noblest of all charities is in enabling the poor to earn a livelihood.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
A man who sees another man on the street corner with only a stump for an arm will be so shocked the first time he’ll give him sixpence. But the second time it’ll only be a three penny bit. And if he sees him a third time, he’ll have him cold-bloodedly handed over to the police.
—Bertolt Brecht (1898–1956) German Poet, Playwright, Theater Personality
All religions have honored the beggar. For he proves that in a matter at the same time as prosaic and holy, banal and regenerative as the giving of alms, intellect and morality, consistency and principles are miserably inadequate.
—Walter Benjamin (1892–1940) German Literary and Marxist Critic
Behold, I do not give lectures or a little charity, When I give, I give myself.
—Walt Whitman (1819–92) American Poet, Essayist, Journalist, American, Poet, Essayist, Journalist
Philanthropist. A rich (and usually bald) old gentleman who has trained himself to grin while his conscience is picking his pocket.
—Ambrose Bierce (1842–1913) American Short-story Writer, Journalist
Only great souls know the grandeur there is in charity.
—Jacques-Benigne Bossuet (1627–1704) French Churchman, Pulpit Orator
There is no delight in owning anything unshared.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
That charity is bad which takes from independence its proper pride, and from mendicity its proper shame.
—Robert South (1634–1716) English Theologian, Preacher
In your Salvation shelter I saw poverty, misery, cold and hunger. You gave them bread and treacle and dreams of heaven. I give from thirty shillings a week to twelve thousand a year. They find their own dreams; but I look after the drainage.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
If begging should unfortunately be thy lot, knock at the large gates only.
—Arabic Proverb
A decent provision for the poor is the true test of civilization.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Charity is a virtue of the heart, and not of the hands.
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
Present happiness is the result of charity and other merits previously done. This can be seen in a tree which bears fruit at its top after the roots have been watered.
—Buddhist Teaching
Almsgiving is practised by means of money, but charity also by personal services and by words of advice, sympathy, and encouragement. Almsgiving is a duty towards the poor only, but charity towards the rich as well as the poor, nay, even towards the dead (by taking care of their decent burial).
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Politics and the pulpit are terms that have little agreement. No sound ought to be heard in the church but the healing voice of Christian charity. The cause of civil liberty and civil government gains as little as that of religion by this confusion of duties. Those who quit their proper character to assume what does not belong to them are, for the greater part, ignorant both of the character they leave and of the character they assume.
—Edmund Burke (1729–97) British Philosopher, Statesman
Give, and it shall be given unto you.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
If I choose to bless another person, I will always end up feeling more blessed.
—Marianne Williamson (b.1952) American Activist, Author, Lecturer
Nothing is so hard for those who abound in riches as to conceive how others can be in want.
—Jonathan Swift (1667–1745) Irish Satirist
In giving, a man receives more than he gives; and the more is in proportion to the worth of the thing given.
—George MacDonald (1824–1905) Scottish Novelist, Lecturer, Poet
He who obtains has little. He who scatters has much.
—Laozi (fl.6th Century BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Sage
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