quotations about charity
There is so much wretchedness in the world, that we may safely take the word of any mortal professing to need our assistance; and, even should we be deceived, still the good to ourselves resulting from a kind act is worth more than the trifle by which we purchase it.
NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE
American Note-Books, Aug. 30, 1842
Charity, which renders good for bad, blessings for curses.
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
Richard III
Did universal charity prevail, earth would be a heaven, and hell a fable.
CHARLES CALEB COLTON
Lacon
There is a saying, Charity begins at home; and sometimes it is used as a squalid slogan to justify selfishness, to justify us for not bothering about people who are not near to us and dear to us. Family and friends have the first call on us; but the whole point of the saying is that it is there we begin, it is there that we learn how to love, so that, starting from there, our love may grow and grow till it gathers to itself the whole world.
GERALD VANN
The Two Trees
Nothing contributes more to make men polite and civilized, than true and genuine Charity.
WELLINS CALCOTT
Thoughts Moral and Divine
A bone to the dog is not charity. Charity is the bone shared with the dog, when you are just as hungry as the dog.
JACK LONDON
"My Life in the Underworld"
That charity which longs to publish itself ceases to be charity.
ELIZA COOK
Diamond Dust
Where charity keeps pace with gain, industry is blessed.
WILLIAM PENN
Some Fruits of Solitude
Giving food to the hungry or clothing to the naked is not a charitable handout but an exercise in simple justice -- restoring to the poor what is rightfully theirs, what has been taken from them unjustly.
ROBERT MCAFEE BROWN
Unexpected News: Reading the Bible with Third World Eyes
When we do any good to others, we do as much, or more, good to ourselves.
BENJAMIN WHICHCOTE
Moral and Religious Aphorisms
The bread of charity is life itself for the needy; he who withholds it is a man of blood.
BEN SIRA
Sirach 34:21
For charity literally translated from the original means love, the love that understands, that does not merely share the wealth of the giver, but in true sympathy and wisdom helps men to help themselves.
FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT
speech accepting the renomination for the Presidency, June 27, 1936
When our cup runs over, we let others drink the drops that fall, but not a drop from within the rim, and call it charity; when the crumbs are swept from our table, we think it generous to let the dogs eat them; as if that were charity which permits others to have what we cannot keep.
HENRY WARD BEECHER
Life Thoughts
Charity to the deserving is not charity at all, but justice.
G.K. CHESTERTON
Heretics
Charity that is always beginning at home stays there.
AUSTIN O'MALLEY
Keystones of Thought
Let your heart feel for the afflictions and distresses of every one, and let your hand give in proportion to your purse; remembering always the estimation of the widow's mite, but, that it is not every one who asketh that deserveth charity; all, however, are worthy of the inquiry, or the deserving may suffer.
GEORGE WASHINGTON
letter to Bushrod Washington, Jan. 15, 1783
Do not give, as many rich men do, like a hen that lays her egg and then cackles.
HENRY WARD BEECHER
Proverbs from Plymouth Pulpit
As the furnace purifies the silver, so does charity rid wealth of its dross.
WILLIAM SCOTT DOWNEY
Proverbs
I'm not begging charity
Don't confuse the things I say
Give me what belongs to me
Give me what belongs to me
UB40
"Sorry", Promises and Lies
It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.
MOTHER TERESA
attributed, Voices