quotations about generosity
Among the rich you will never find a really generous man even by accident. They may give their money away, but they will never give themselves away; they are egotistic, secretive, dry as old bones. To be smart enough to get all that money you must be dull enough to want it.
G. K. CHESTERTON
A Miscellany of Men
Pride only helps us to be generous; it never makes us so, any more than vanity makes us witty.
GEORGE ELIOT
Middlemarch
Generosity wins favour for every one, especially when it is accompanied by modesty.
JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE
The Maxims and Reflections of Goethe
How much easier it is to be generous than just! Men are sometimes bountiful who are not honest.
JUNIUS
attributed, Day's Collacon
A generous man will, in his treatment of an enemy, resemble the sun, which pours light all around it, even upon the clouds that strive to dim its lustre.
ANNIE E. LANCASTER
attributed, Day's Collacon
An act of generosity is a seed, which even dropped by chance, springs up a flower.
J. D. FORBES
attributed, Day's Collacon
It is very easy, oftentimes, to do a generous act impulsively, and on the spur of an occasion; and as so done--it may be both useful and gratifying to the recipient--may confer a real favor, and merit thanks and the feeling of gratitude.
G. A. SALA
attributed, Day's Collacon
Generosity is not in giving me that which I need more than you do, but it is in giving me that which you need more than I do.
KAHLIL GIBRAN
Sand and Foam
Being generous is a leap of faith. There is no denying that you are taking chances when you give away anything of value to another, even if it is only your time.
LOUISE PHIPPS SENFT & WILLIAM SENFT
Being Relational
If truth doesn't set you free, generosity of spirit will.
KATARINA STOYKOVA KLEMER
attributed, The Way of Letting Go
It needs as much generosity to take as to give.
IVAN PANIN
Thoughts