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
Don’t say that you want to give, but go ahead and give! You’ll never catch up with a mere hope.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
To give is to receive…
—Gerald Jampolsky (b.1925) American Psychiatrist
The Dead Sea is the dead sea, because it continually receives and never gives.
—Unknown
Seek joy in what you give not in what you get
—Unknown
Charity: a thing that begins at home, and usually stays there.
—Elbert Hubbard (1856–1915) American Writer, Publisher, Artist, Philosopher
The human being who lives only for himself finally reaps nothing but unhappiness. Selfishness corrodes. Unselfishness ennobles, satisfies. Don’t put off the joy derivable from doing helpful, kindly things for others.
—B. C. Forbes (1880–1954) Scottish-born American Journalist, Publisher
What we gave, we have; What we spent, we had; What we left, we lost.
—Tryon Edwards (1809–94) American Theologian, Author
Whenever I hear people talking about liberal ideas, I am always astounded that men should love to fool themselves with empty sounds. An idea should never be liberal; it must be vigorous, positive, and without loose ends so that it may fulfill its divine mission and be productive. The proper place for liberality is in the realm of the emotions.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
God has given to all men free agency and has granted us the privilege to serve Him or serve Him not, to do that which is right or that which is wrong, but he will hold us strictly to an account for the use that we make of this agency.
—Unknown
Live for thy neighbor if thou wouldst live for thyself.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
God has given us two hands, one to receive with and the other to give with.
—Billy Graham (1918–91) American Baptist Religious Leader
What is called liberality is often merely the vanity of giving
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
We grow by love .. . others are our nutriment.
—William Ellery Channing (1780–1842) American Unitarian Theologian, Poet
The Lord shall open unto you his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shall lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
The gift derives its value from the rank of the giver.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso) (c.43 BCE–c.18 CE) Roman Poet
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
The happiest people I have known have been those who gave themselves no concern about their own souls, but did their uttermost to mitigate the miseries of others.
—Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815–1902) American Social Reformer
There is a magnet in your heart that will attract true friends. That magnet is unselfishness, thinking of others first … when you learn to live for others, they will live for you.
—Paramahansa Yogananda (1893–1952) Indian Hindu Mystic, Religious Leader, Philosopher, Teacher
Two can give as cheap as one.
—Arnold Glasow (1905–98) American Businessman
We read on the foreheads of those who are surrounded by a foolish luxury, that fortune sells what she is thought to give.
—Jean de La Fontaine (1621–95) French Poet, Short Story Writer
Two thirds of help is to give courage.
—Irish Proverb
Set about doing good to somebody. Put on your hat, and go and visit the sick and poor of your neighborhood; inquire into their circumstances, and minister to their wants. Seek out the desolate, and afflicted, and oppressed, and tell them of the consolations of religion. I have often tried this method, and have always found it the best medicine for a heavy heart.
—John Howard
Complete possession is proved only by giving. All you are unable to give possesses you.
—Andre Gide (1869–1951) French Novelist
Throughout the centuries there were men who took first steps down new roads armed with nothing but their own vision.
—Ayn Rand (1905–82) Russian-born American Novelist, Philosopher
When you’re nice to people, they want to be nice back to you.
—Jack Canfield (b.1944) American Author, Motivational Speaker
Pleasure is a reciprocal; no one feels it who does not at the same time give it. To be pleased, one must please.
—Earl of Chesterfield (1694–1773) English Statesman, Man of Letters
If you continually give, you will continually have.
—Unknown
Did universal charity prevail, earth would be a heaven, and hell a fable.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
The real secret of happiness is not what you have or what you receive; it’s what you share
—Indian Proverb
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