I have somewhere met with the epitaph on a charitable man which has pleased me very much. I cannot recollect the words, but here is the sense of it: “What I spent I lost; what I possessed is left to others; what I gave away remains with me.”
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
He who gives charity in secret is greater than Moses.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
In charity to all mankind, bearing no malice or ill-will to any human being, and even compassionating those who hold in bondage their fellow-men, not knowing what they do.
—John Quincy Adams (1767–1848) Sixth President of the USA
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
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
Charity is more valuable than sacrifices, and alone equals the exercise of all religious forms.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Charity. To love human beings in so far as they are nothing. That is to love them as God does.
—Simone Weil (1909–1943) French Philosopher, Political Activist
The Liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
To whom much has been given, much is expected.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Charity begins at hame, but shouldna end there.
—Scottish Proverb
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
The house that does not open to the poor will open to the physician.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
The more sympathy you give, the less you need.
—Malcolm S. Forbes (1919–1990) American Publisher, Businessperson
He gives little who gives with a frown; he gives much who gives little with a smile.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Prayer carries us half-way to God, fasting brings us to the door of his palace, and alms-giving procures us admission.
—The Holy Quran Sacred Scripture of Islam
He gives all who gives a dwelling place. He gives Immorality who gives instructions of Righteousness.
—Buddhist Teaching
One must be poor to know the luxury of giving.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
It is by teaching that we teach ourselves, by relating that we observe, by affirming that we examine, by showing that we look, by writing that we think, by pumping that we draw water into the well.
—Henri Frederic Amiel (1821–81) Swiss Moral Philosopher, Poet, Critic
Giving is better than receiving because giving starts the receiving process.
—Jim Rohn (1930–2009) American Entrepreneur, Author, Motivational Speaker
Giving is true having.
—Charles Spurgeon (1834–92) English Baptist Preacher
In every birth he who gives out what is excellent, nicest and choicest will be endowed with long life and nobility.
—Buddhist Teaching
Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
EARN as much as you can. SAVE as much as you can. INVEST as much as you can. GIVE as much as you can.
—John Wesley (1703–91) British Methodist Religious Leader, Preacher, Theologian
Charity means love towards the neighbor and compassion, for anyone who loves his neighbor as himself also has as much compassion for him in his suffering as he does for himself in his own.
—Emanuel Swedenborg (1688–1772) Swedish Mystic, Theologian, Scientist
Four dispositions are found among those who bestow charity. There is he who is willing to give, but does not wish others to give: he has an envious eye towards others. There is he who wishes others to give, but who will not give himself: he has an evil eye towards himself. He who is willing to give and wishes others to give also, is a pious man. He who neither gives himself nor wishes others to give, is a wicked man.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
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
We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.
—Unknown
When people grow gradually rich their requirements and standard of living expand in proportion, while their present-giving instincts often remain in the undeveloped condition of their earlier days. Something showy and not-too-expensive in a shop is their only conception of the ideal gift.
—Saki (Hector Hugh Munro) (1870–1916) British Short Story Writer, Satirist, Historian
You can give without loving, but you can’t love without giving.
—Amy Carmichael (1867–1951) British Protestant Missionary