giving - generosity

Giving is the secret of a healthy life. Not necessarily money,
but whatever a person has of encouragement and sympathy and understanding.

John D. Rockefeller, Jr.

Each of us, as we journey through life, has the opportunity to find and to give his or her
unique gift.  Whether this gift is quiet or small in the eyes of the world does not matter at
all--not at all; it is through the finding and the giving that we may come to know the joy
that lies at the center of both the dark times and the light.

Helen M. Luke

We must realize that we cannot give love unless we can receive love. . . .
In order to give of ourselves, we must nurture ourselves.

John Gray

We are possessed by the things we possess.
When I like an object, I always give it to someone.
It isn't generosity--it's only because
I want others to be enslaved by objects, not me.

Jean Paul Sartre

There is no happiness in having or in getting, but only in giving.

Henry Drummond

True religion. . . is giving and finding one's happiness
by bringing happiness into the lives of others.

William J.H. Boetcker

Those that will not permit their wealth to do any good for others. . .
cut themselves off from the truest pleasure here and the highest happiness later.

Charles Caleb Colton

I as little fear that God will damn a person who has charity
as I hope that the priests can save one who has not.

Alexander Pope

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The more we have given to ourselves, the more we have to give to others.
When we find that place within ourselves that is giving,
we begin to create an outward flow. Giving to others
comes not from a sense of sacrifice, self-righteousness, or spirituality,
but for the pure pleasure of it, because it's fun.
Giving can only come from a full, loving space.

Shakti Gawain

No people were ever honored for what they received.
Honor has been the reward for what they gave.

Calvin Coolidge

Most people think of success in terms of getting;
success, however, begins in terms of giving.

Henry Ford

Kindness in words creates confidence.
Kindness in thinking creates profoundness.
Kindness in giving creates love.

Lao-Tzu

It was our belief that the love of possessions is a weakness to be overcome.
Its appeal is to the material part, and if allowed its way, it will in time
disturb one's spiritual balance.  Therefore, children must early learn
the beauty of generosity.  They are taught to give what they prize most,
that they may taste the happiness of giving.

Ohiyesa, Santee Sioux

To receive a present handsomely and in a right spirit,
even when you have none to give in return,
is to give one in return.

Leigh Hunt

In this world it is not what we take up, but what we give up, that makes us rich.

Henry Ward Beecher

A generous action is its own reward.

William Walsh

To give away money is an easy matter, and in any person's
power.  But to decide to whom to give it, and how large
and when, and for what purpose, is neither
in every person's power nor an easy matter.  Hence it is,
that such an excellence is rare, praiseworthy and noble.

Aristotle

May every soul that touches mine—
Be it the slightest contact—
Get from there some good;
Some little grace; one kindly thought;
One aspiration yet unfelt;
One bit of courage
For the darkening sky;
One gleam of faith
To brave the thickening ills of life;
One glimpse of brighter skies
Beyond the gathering mists—
To make this life worthwhile,
And heaven a surer heritage.

George Eliot

The hoarders, who are anxiously worried about losing something,
are, psychologically speaking, the poor impoverished people,
regardless of how much they have.  Whoever is capable
of giving of themselves is rich.

Erich Fromm

Blessed is the influence of one true, loving human soul on another.

George Eliot

Others are my main concern.  When I notice something of mine,
I steal it and give it to others.

Shantideva

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment
before starting to improve the world.

Anne Frank

unattributed, The Daily Word

Take up giving-away as a hobby while you are young, and you will have
a happy life.  What is more, because you do so many thoughtful things on
impulse, you will develop a lively and interesting personality--
gracious, friendly, and likeable.

David Dunn 

Gentle and giving--all the rest is treason.

Kenneth Patchen