quotations about giving
The spirit in which a thing is given determines that in which the gift is acknowledged; it is the intention, not the face-value of the gift, that is weighed.
SENECA THE YOUNGER
Epistulae morales ad Lucilium
Giving is the highest expression of potency. In the very act of giving, I experience my strength, my wealth and my power. This experience of heightened vitality and potency fills me with joy.
ERICH FROMM
The Art of Loving
To get, one must give. That is the Law.
ELSA BARKER
Letters from a Living Dead Man
From what we get, we can make a living. What we give, however, makes a life.
ARTHUR ASHE
attributed, Arthur Ashe: Tennis Great & Civil Rights Leader
The good receiv'd, the giver is forgot.
WILLIAM CONGREVE
epistle to Lord Halifax
We must give until it hurts. For love to be true it has to hurt. It hurt Jesus to love us; it hurt God to love us because He had to give. He gave His Son.
MOTHER TERESA
Where There Is Love, There Is God
For the will and not the gift makes the giver.
GOTTHOLD EPHRAIM LESSING
Nathan der Weise
Until we can receive with an open heart, we're never really giving with an open heart. When we attach judgment to receiving help, we knowingly or unknowingly attach judgment to giving help.
BRENE BROWN
The Gifts of Imperfection
We ought not, indiscriminately, to accept gifts from all; for virtue ought not to be maintained by vice.
CRATES
attributed, Day's Collacon
Gifts are like fish-hooks; for who is not aware that the greedy char is deceived by the fly which he swallows?
MARTIAL
attributed, Day's Collacon
You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.
ANONYMOUS
You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.
KAHLIL GIBRAN
The Prophet
Giving is more joyous than receiving, not because it is a deprivation, but because in the act of giving lies the expression of my aliveness.
ERICH FROMM
The Art of Loving
Presents are made for the pleasure of who gives them, not the merits of who receives them.
CARLOS RUIZ ZAFON
The Shadow of the Wind
The gods won't give us all their gifts at once.
HOMER
The Iliad
He giveth too late who waits till he is asked to give.
PLAUTUS
attributed, Day's Collacon
In every case we receive only in proportion to what we give.
HONORÉ DE BALZAC
Physiology of Marriage
He that distributeth not
That which he hath received--
His food, his drink, his sustenance--
Unto devotee, brahman, beggar, wayfarer--
Such a low man as he, they say, is like
Unto a lack of rain.
GAUTAMA BUDDHA
Iti-Vuttaka
It is said that gifts persuade even the gods.
EURIPIDES
Medea
Give quickly, lest thy delay be construed into denial.
THEMISTOCLES
attributed, Day's Collacon