A gift blinds the wise and perverts the words of the righteous.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Gifts make their way through stone walls.
—Common Proverb
Change always comes bearing gifts.
—Price Pritchett (b.1941) American Management Consultant
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
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
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
One must be poor to know the luxury of giving.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
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
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
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
Small gifts go to places where men expect bigger ones.
—Russian Proverb
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
Who gives a trifle meanly is meaner than the trifle.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater (1741–1801) Swiss Theologian, Poet
Gift long expected is sold, not given.
—Italian Proverb
Pleasure is spread through the earth. In stray gifts to be claimed by whoever shall find.
—William Wordsworth (1770–1850) English Poet
Presents, I often say, endear absents.
—Charles Lamb (1775–1834) British Essayist, Poet
Rich gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
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
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
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
Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.
—William Arthur Ward (1921–94) American Author
It is the will, and not the gift that makes the giver.
—Gotthold Ephraim Lessing (1729–81) German Writer, Philosopher
It is a proof of boorishness to confer a favor with a bad grace.—How little does a smile cost!
—Jean de La Bruyere (1645–96) French Satiric Moralist, Author
He who was presented with an ox must give in return a horse.
—Chinese Proverb
The excellence of a gift lies in its appropriateness rather than in its value.
—Charles Dudley Warner (1829–1900) American Essayist, Novelist
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
What we share with another ceases to be our own.
—Edgar Quinet (1803–75) French Historian, Poet
Leave a Reply