Blessed is he who gives from his substance to the poor; twice blessed he who accompanies his gift with kind, comforting words.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
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
The place of charity, like that of God, is everywhere. Proportion thy charity to the strength of thine estate, lest God proportion thine estate to the weakness of thy charity.—Let the lips of the poor be the trumpet of thy gift, lest in seeking applause, thou lose thy reward.—Nothing is more pleasing to God than an open hand, and a closed mouth.
—Francis Quarles (1592–1644) English Religious Poet
When one dispenses a charity to the excellent one, his excellent merit multiplies. So also are his age, complexion, rank, honour, happiness and strength.
—Buddhist Teaching
Throughout the centuries there were men who took first steps down new roads armed with nothing but their own vision.
—Ayn Rand (1905–82) Russian-born American Novelist, Philosopher
Nothing that you have not given away will ever be really yours.
—C. S. Lewis (1898–1963) Irish-British Academic, Author, Literary Scholar
Happiness is not so much in having as sharing. We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.
—Norman MacEwen (1881–1953) British Military Leader
Give no bounties: make equal laws: secure life and prosperity and you need not give alms.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Charity is a virtue of the heart, and not of the hands.
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
We should give as we would receive, cheerfully, quickly, and without hesitation; for there is no grace in a benefit that sticks to the fingers.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
Affectation hides three times as many virtues as charity does sins.
—Horace Mann (1796–1859) American Educator, Politician, Educationalist
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
I wonder if it isn’t just cowardice instead of generosity that makes us give tips.
—Will Rogers (1879–1935) American Actor, Rancher, Humorist
The gifts that one receives for giving are so immeasurable that it is almost an injustice to accept them.
—Rod McKuen (1933–2015) American Poet, Singer, Composer
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
While actions are always to be judged by the immutable standard of right and wrong, the judgments we pass upon men must be qualified by considerations of age, country, station, and other accidental circumstances; and it will then be found that he who is most charitable in his judgment is generally the least unjust.
—Robert South (1634–1716) English Theologian, Preacher
Never let your zeal outrun your charity. The former is but human, the latter is divine.
—Hosea Ballou (1771–1852) American Theologian
Beggars should be entirely abolished! Truly, it is annoying to give to them and annoying not to give to them.
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) German Philosopher, Scholar, Writer
Charity is a calm, severe duty; it must be intellectual, to be advantageous. It is a strange mistake that it should ever be considered a merit; its fulfilment is only what we owe to each other, and is a debt never paid to its full extent.
—Letitia Elizabeth Landon (1802–38) English Poet, Novelist
Sharing is sometimes more demanding than giving.
—Mary Catherine Bateson (1939–2021) American Cultural Anthropologist, Author
Are there not thousands in the world who love their fellows even to the death, who feel the giant agony of the world, and more, like slaves to poor humanity, labor for mortal good?
—John Keats (1795–1821) English Poet
He who is continually struggling with poverty is often enticed, on account of his sufferings, to murmur against an all-wise Providence. He frequently thinks: “Am I not also God’s creature? Why does there exist such difference between me and the wealthy? He sleeps quietly in his splendid mansion, and I have to lie in my miserable hut; he sleeps in his soft bed, and I am obliged to take my rest on the hard floor”.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
One must be poor to know the luxury of giving.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
He gives all who gives a dwelling place. He gives Immorality who gives instructions of Righteousness.
—Buddhist Teaching
Charity is injurious unless it helps the recipient to become independent of it.
—John D. Rockefeller (1839-1937) American Oil Magnate, Philanthropist
You are much surer that you are doing good when you pay money to those who work, as the recompense of their labors, than when you give money merely in charity.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
There is only one real deprivation, I decided this morning, and that is not to be able to give one’s gifts to those one loves most.
—May Sarton (1912–95) American Children’s Books Writer, Poet, Novelist
Look around for a place to sow a few seeds.
—Henry van Dyke Jr. (1852–1933) American Author, Educator, Clergyman
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Just as an ocean is filled by great rivers which are full, the dedicated charity dispensed here is received by the deceased.
—Buddhist Teaching
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