Behold! I do not give lectures on a little charity. When I give, I give myself.
—Walt Whitman (1819–92) American Poet, Essayist, Journalist, American, Poet, Essayist, Journalist
The smartest thing I ever said was, “Help Me!”
—Unknown
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
LIFE’S MIRROR
There are loyal hearts, there are spirits brave,
There are souls that are pure and true,
Then give to the world the best you have,
And the best will come back to you.
Give love, and love to your life will flow,
A strength in your utmost need,
Have faith, and a score of hearts will show
Their faith in your word and deed.
Give truth, and your gift will be paid in kind;
And honor will honor meet;
And a smile that is sweet will surely find
A smile that is just as sweet.
Give pity and sorrow to those who mourn,
You will gather in flowers again
The scattered seeds from your thoughts outborne
Though the sowing seemed but vain.
For life is the mirror of king and slave,
‘Tis just what we are and do;
Then give to the world the best you have,
And the best will come back to you.
—Mary Ainge de Vere (Madeline S. Bridges) (1844–1920) American Poet, Author
Did universal charity prevail, earth would be a heaven, and hell a fable.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
The weakest among us has a gift, however seemingly trivial, which is peculiar to him and which worthily used will be a gift also to his race.
—John Ruskin (1819–1900) English Writer, Art Critic
I was hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: I was naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me. I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
—Unknown
Go-Givers will become the best go-getters.
—Unknown
A bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives you roses.
—Chinese Proverb
What I know for sure is that if you want success, you can’t make success your goal. The key is not to worry about being successful, but to instead work toward being significant, and the success will naturally follow.
—Oprah Winfrey (b.1954) American TV Personality
Money is a lubricant. It lets you “slide” through life instead of having to “scrape” by. Money brings freedom—freedom to buy what you want , and freedom to do what you want with your time. Money allows you to enjoy the finer things in life as well as giving you the opportunity to help others have the necessities in life. Most of all, having money allows you not to have to spend your energy worrying about not having money.
—T. Harv Eker (b.1954) American Motivational Speaker, Lecturer, Author
And they said one to another, we are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
For of those to whom much is given, much is required. And when at some future date the high court of history sits in judgment on each of us—recording whether in our brief span of service we fulfilled our responsibilities to the state—our success or failure, in whatever office we hold, will be measured by the answers to four questions:
First, were we truly men of courage—with the courage to stand up to one’s enemies—and the courage to stand up, when necessary, to one’s associates—the courage to resist public pressure, as well as private greed?
Secondly, were we truly men of judgment—with perceptive judgment of the future as well as the past—of our mistakes as well as the mistakes of others—with enough wisdom to know what we did not know and enough candor to admit it?
Third, were we truly men of integrity—men who never ran out on either the principles in which we believed or the men who believed in us—men whom neither financial gain nor political ambition could ever divert from the fulfillment of our sacred trust?
Finally, were we truly men of dedication—with an honor mortgaged to no single individual or group, and comprised of no private obligation or aim, but devoted solely to serving the public good and the national interest?
Courage—judgment—integrity—dedication—these are the historic qualities … which, with God’s help … will characterize our Government’s conduct in the 4 stormy years that lie ahead.
—John F. Kennedy (1917–63) American Head of State, Journalist
To give and then not feel that one has given is the very best of all ways of giving.
—Max Beerbohm (1872–1956) British Essayist, Caricaturist, Novelist
It was only a sunny smile, but it scattered the night. And little it cost in the giving; like morning light, and made the day worth living.
—Unknown
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
Who is the happiest of men? He who values the merits of others, and in their pleasure takes joy, even as though it were his own.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
The sage never tries to store things up. The more he does for others, the more he has. The more he gives to others, the greater his abundance.
—Laozi (fl.6th Century BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Sage
Give, and it shall be given unto you.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
To receive everything, one must open one’s hands and give.
—Taisen Deshimaru (1914–82) Japanese Buddhist Teacher
You have to sow before you can reap. You have to give before you can get.
—Robert Collier (1885–1950) American Self-Help Author
The greatest happiness in the world is to make others happy.
—Luther Burbank (1849–1926) American Botanist, Scientist
Two thirds of help is to give courage.
—Irish Proverb
There never was a person who did anything worth doing who did not receive more than he gave.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
Life is ever giving of Itself. We must receive, utilize and extend the gift. Success and prosperity are spiritual attributes belonging to all people.
—Ernest Holmes (1887–1960) American New Thought Writer, Teacher
Whoever makes great presents expects great presents in return.
—Martial (40–104) Ancient Roman Latin Poet
Giving without expectations not just brings highest joys but finds always a friendly karmic echo.
—Hans Taeger
Doing good is the only certainly happy action of a man’s life.
—Philip Sidney (1554–86) English Soldier Poet, Courtier
Sacrifice is giving up something good for something better.
—Unknown
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, Author
God has given us two hands, one to receive with and the other to give with.
—Billy Graham (1918–91) American Baptist Religious Leader
Give little love to a child, and you get a great deal back.
—John Ruskin (1819–1900) English Writer, Art Critic
We grow by love .. . others are our nutriment.
—William Ellery Channing (1780–1842) American Unitarian Theologian, Poet
If you would take, you must first give, this is the beginning of intelligence.
—Laozi (fl.6th Century BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Sage
While you have a thing it can be taken from you… but when you give it, you have given it. No robber can take it from you. It is yours then for ever when you have given it. It will be yours always. That is to give.
—James Joyce (1882–1941) Irish Novelist, Poet
The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.
—Oprah Winfrey (b.1954) American TV Personality
It is enough that I am of value to somebody today.
—Hugh Prather (b.1938) American Christian Author, Minister, Counselor
Give, and you may keep your friend it you lose your money; lend, and the chances are that you lose your friend if ever you get back your money
—Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton (1803–73) British Novelist, Poet, Politician
All altruism springs from putting yourself in the other person’s place.
—Harry Emerson Fosdick (1878–1969) American Baptist Minister
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
Two can give as cheap as one.
—Arnold Glasow (1905–98) American Businessman
In the sphere of material things, giving means being rich. Not he who has much is rich, but he who gives much.
—Erich Fromm (1900–80) German-American Psychoanalyst, Social Philosopher
In giving, a man receives more than he gives; and the more is in proportion to the worth of the thing given.
—George MacDonald (1824–1905) Scottish Novelist, Lecturer, Poet
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
The value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving.
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born Physicist
Giving is true having.
—Charles Spurgeon (1834–92) English Baptist Preacher
The manner of giving is worth more than the gift.
—Pierre Corneille (1606–84) French Poet, Dramatist
Don’t be reluctant to give of yourself generously, it’s the mark of caring and compassion and personal greatness.
—Brian Tracy (b.1944) American Author, Motivational Speaker
The most important job you have is growing your people, giving them a chance to reach their dreams.
—Jack Welch (1935–2020) American Businessperson
Make yourself necessary to somebody.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher