The excellence of a gift lies in its appropriateness rather than in its value.
—Charles Dudley Warner (1829–1900) American Essayist, Novelist
Rings and jewels are not gifts, but apologies for gifts. The only gift is a portion of thyself.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
A beggar will always be a beggar even if they give him the whole world as a gift.
—Persian Proverb
The greatest gift that you can give to others is the gift of unconditional love and acceptance.
—Brian Tracy (b.1944) American Author, Motivational Speaker
The best thing to give to your enemy is forgiveness; to an opponent tolerance; to a friend your heart; to your child a good example; to a father deference; to your mother, conduct that will make her proud of you; to yourself respect; and to all men charity.
—Frances Balfour (1858–1931) British Women’s Activist
Mankind must remember that peace is not God’s gift to his creatures; peace is our gift to each other.
—Elie Wiesel (1928–2016) Romanian-American Writer, Professor, Activist
Present to the eye, present to the mind.
—Chinese Proverb
A gift blinds the wise and perverts the words of the righteous.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
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
A little given seasonably excuses a great gift.
—George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh Anglican Poet, Orator, Clergyman
Take all that is given whether wealth, love or language, nothing comes by mistake and with good digestion all can be turned to health.
—George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh Anglican Poet, Orator, Clergyman
A wise lover values not so much the gift of the lover as the love of the giver.
—Thomas a Kempis (1379–1471) German Religious Priest, Writer
The manner of giving shows the character of the giver, more than the gift itself.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater (1741–1801) Swiss Theologian, Poet
There is a gift that is almost a blow, and there is a kind word that is munilicence; so much is there in the way of doing things.
—Arthur Helps (1813–75) British Essayist, Historian
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
The heart of the giver makes the gift dear and precious.
—Martin Luther (1483–1546) German Protestant Theologian
Pleasure is spread through the earth. In stray gifts to be claimed by whoever shall find.
—William Wordsworth (1770–1850) English Poet
Give what you have. To someone, it may be better than you dare to think.
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–82) American Poet, Educator, Academic
Giving gifts to the rich is like pouring water into the sea.
—Russian Proverb
May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through!
—Unknown
God waits to win back his own flowers as gifts from man’s hands.
—Rabindranath Tagore (1861–1941) Bengali Poet, Polymath
If you give a gift to a rich man, the devil sniggers.
—French Proverb
To perceive Christmas through its wrappings becomes more difficult with every year.
—E. B. White (1985–99) American Essayist, Humorist
The manner of giving is worth more than the gift.
—Pierre Corneille (1606–84) French Poet, Dramatist
God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say “thank you?”
—William Arthur Ward (1921–94) American Author
Gifts dissolve rocks.
—Common Proverb
Who gives me a little gift, he wishes that I live.
—Indian Proverb
What gift has Providence bestowed on man that is so dear to him as his children?
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
A gift, its kind, its value, and appearance; the silence or the pomp that attends it; the style in which it reaches you, may decide the dignity or vulgarity of the giver.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater (1741–1801) Swiss Theologian, Poet
What you are is God’s gift to you, what you do with yourself is your gift to God.
—Leo Buscaglia (1924–98) American Motivational Speaker
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