When you reject gifts from heaven you will be rewarded in hell.
—Japanese Proverb
When thou makest presents, let them be of such things as will last long; to the end they may be in some sort immortal, and may frequently refresh the memory of the receiver.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
The excellence of a gift lies in its appropriateness rather than in its value.
—Charles Dudley Warner (1829–1900) American Essayist, Novelist
A beggar will always be a beggar even if they give him the whole world as a gift.
—Persian Proverb
Small gifts maintain friendship, big ones maintain love.
—French Proverb
Pleasure is spread through the earth. In stray gifts to be claimed by whoever shall find.
—William Wordsworth (1770–1850) English Poet
Gifts, believe me, captivate both men and Gods, Jupiter himself was won over and appeased by gifts.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso) (c.43 BCE–c.18 CE) Roman Poet
He that parts with his property before his death prepares himself for much suffering.
—French Proverb
Gifts dissolve rocks.
—Common 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
Small gifts go to places where men expect bigger ones.
—Russian Proverb
He who was presented with an ox must give in return a horse.
—Chinese Proverb
Giving gifts to the rich is like pouring water into the sea.
—Russian Proverb
Who gives a trifle meanly is meaner than the trifle.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater (1741–1801) Swiss Theologian, Poet
A gift consists not in what is done or given, but in the intention of the giver or doer.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
What we share with another ceases to be our own.
—Edgar Quinet (1803–75) French Historian, Poet
It is the will, and not the gift that makes the giver.
—Gotthold Ephraim Lessing (1729–81) German Writer, Philosopher
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
Every gift, though it be small, is in reality great if given with affection.
—Pindar (c.518–c.438 BCE) Greek Lyric Poet
Rich gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
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) English Dramatist, Essayist
Change always comes bearing gifts.
—Price Pritchett
Mankind must remember that peace is not God’s gift to his creatures; peace is our gift to each other.
—Elie Wiesel (b.1928) Romanian-born American Writer, Professor, Political Activist
I give a present to the mother but I think of the daughter.
—German Proverb
He who loves with purity considers not the gift of the lover, but the love of the giver.
—Thomas a Kempis (1379–1471) German Religious Priest, Writer
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
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
Gift long expected is sold, not given.
—Italian Proverb
Gifts make their way through stone walls.
—Common 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
Independence is of more value than any gifts; and to receive gifts is to lose it.—Men most commonly seek to oblige thee only that they may engage thee to serve them.
—Sa’Di (Musharrif Od-Din Muslih Od-Din) (c.1213–91) Persian Poet
Present to the eye, present to the mind.
—Chinese Proverb
Nothing is so strongly fortified that it cannot be taken by money.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
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 manner of giving is worth more than the gift.
—Pierre Corneille (1606–84) French Poet, Dramatist
That which is given with pride and ostentation is rather an ambition than a bounty.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
It is difficult to repay the gifts you get at a wedding or a funeral.
—Chinese Proverb
If you give a gift to a rich man, the devil sniggers.
—French Proverb
Presents which our love for the donor has rendered precious are ever the most acceptable.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso) (c.43 BCE–c.18 CE) Roman Poet
We make big promises to avoid little presents.
—French Proverb
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 gift blinds the wise and perverts the words of the righteous.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
When a friend asks, there is no tomorrow.
—George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh Anglican Poet, Orator, Clergyman
Examples are few of men ruined by giving.—Men are heroes in spending—cravens in what they give.
—Christian Nestell Bovee (1820–1904) American Writer, Aphorist
May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through!
—Unknown
The best gift a father can give to his son is the gift of himself—his time. For material things mean little, if there is not someone to share them with.
—Unknown
To reveal its complacence by gifts, is one of the native dialects of love.
—Lydia H. Sigourney (1791–1865) American Poetaster, Author
The manner of giving shows the character of the giver, more than the gift itself.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater (1741–1801) Swiss Theologian, Poet
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
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