Give light and people will find their own way.
—Unknown
I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare.
—C. S. Lewis (1898-1963) Irish-born British Academic, Author, Literary Scholar
It is normal to give away a little of one’s life in order not to lose it all.
—Albert Camus (1913–60) Algerian-born French Philosopher, Dramatist, Essayist, Novelist, Author
A man there was, and they called him mad; the more he gave, the more he had.
—John Bunyan (1628–88) English Puritan Writer, Preacher
Do things for others and you’ll find your self-consciousness evaporating like morning dew.
—Dale Carnegie (1888–1955) American Self-Help Author
Gifts must affect the receiver to the point of shock.
—Walter Benjamin
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
Whoever renders service to many puts himself in line for greatness—great wealth, great return, great satisfaction, great reputation, and great joy.
—Jim Rohn (1930–2009) American Entrepreneur, Author, Motivational Speaker
When you cease to make a contribution, you begin to die.
—Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962) American First Lady, Diplomat, Humanitarian
Not what we give, but what we share,—For the gift without the giver is bare.
—James Russell Lowell (1819–91) American Poet, Critic
If you continually give, you will continually have.
—Unknown
The gift derives its value from the rank of the giver.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso) (c.43 BCE–c.18 CE) Roman Poet
Be charitable and indulgent to everyone but thyself.
—Joseph Joubert (1754–1824) French Writer, Moralist
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
Look around for a place to sow a few seeds.
—Henry van Dyke Jr. (1852–1933) American Author, Educator, Clergyman
He gives twice that gives soon, i.e., he will soon be called to give again.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
He that loveth, flieth, runneth, and rejoiceth. He is free, and cannot be held in. He giveth all for all, and hath all in all, because he resteth in one highest above all things, from whom all that is good flows and proceeds.
—Thomas a Kempis (1379–1471) German Religious Priest, Writer
He who bestows his goods upon the poor shall have as much again, and ten times more.
—John Bunyan (1628–88) English Puritan Writer, Preacher
I know some good marriages—marriages where both people are just trying to get through their days by helping each other, being good to each other.
—Erica Jong (b.1942) American Novelist, Feminist
The mortal sickness of a mind too unhappy to be kind.
—A. E. Housman (1859–1936) English Poet, Classical Scholar
We are cold to others only when we are dull in ourselves.
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist
There remain times when one can only endure. One lives on, one doesn’t die, and the only thing that one can do, is to fill one’s mind and time as far as possible with the concerns of other people. It doesn’t bring immediate peace, but it brings the dawn nearer.
—A. C. Benson (1862–1925) English Essayist, Poet, Academic
You can’t get rid of poverty by giving people money.
—P. J. O’Rourke (1947–2022) American Journalist, Political Satirist
Giving is true having.
—Charles Spurgeon (1834–92) English Baptist Preacher
No man is more cheated than the selfish man.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
Complete possession is proved only by giving. All you are unable to give possesses you.
—Andre Gide (1869–1951) French Novelist
When it comes to giving, some people stop at nothing.
—Unknown
You can no more give what you haven’t learned than you can come back from a place you’ve never been.
—Unknown
Isn’t it better to have men be ungrateful than to miss a chance to do good?
—Denis Diderot (1713–84) French Philosopher, Writer
The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much it is whether we provide enough for those who have little.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945) American Head of State, Lawyer