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
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
Gift long expected is sold, not given.
—Italian Proverb
May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through!
—Unknown
He gives not best who gives most; but he gives most who gives best.—If I cannot give bountifully, yet I will give freely, and what I want in my hand, I will supply by my heart.
—Arthur Warwick
If, instead of a gem or even a flower, we could cast the gift of a lovely thought into the heart of a friend, that would be giving as the angels give.
—George MacDonald (1824–1905) Scottish Novelist, Lecturer, Poet
One must be poor to know the luxury of giving.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
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
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
If you give a gift to a rich man, the devil sniggers.
—French Proverb
Who gives me a little gift, he wishes that I live.
—Indian Proverb
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
I give a present to the mother but I think of the daughter.
—German Proverb
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 we share with another ceases to be our own.
—Edgar Quinet (1803–75) French Historian, Poet
Gifts should be handed, not thrown.
—Danish Proverb
It is difficult to repay the gifts you get at a wedding or a funeral.
—Chinese Proverb
When you reject gifts from heaven you will be rewarded in hell.
—Japanese Proverb
Present to the eye, present to the mind.
—Chinese Proverb
A little given seasonably excuses a great gift.
—George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh Anglican Poet, Orator, Clergyman
Small gifts maintain friendship, big ones maintain love.
—French Proverb
Gifts reflect those who give them.
—Chinese Proverb
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
The manner of giving shows the character of the giver, more than the gift itself.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater (1741–1801) Swiss Theologian, Poet
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
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
Gifts dissolve rocks.
—Common Proverb
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-born American Writer, Professor, Political Activist
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