# Quotes about generosity - Quotes: 33 - Authors: 22 - Broader topic: [Quotes about kindness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/kindness.md) - Topic page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/generosity - JSON version (same data): https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/generosity.json ## Quotes > That's what I consider true generosity. You give your all, and yet you always feel as if it costs you nothing. [Simone de Beauvoir](https://www.leafyquotes.com/simone-de-beauvoir.md) · [All Men Are Mortal](https://www.leafyquotes.com/simone-de-beauvoir/all-men-are-mortal.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/simone-de-beauvoir/all-men-are-mortal/thats-what-i-consider.md) Topics: [generosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/generosity.md) > Herr von Trotta had always made a point of appearing richer than he was. He had the instincts of a true gentleman. And in those days (and perhaps in our day too) no instincts were more expensive than those. People favored with such curses do not know how much they possess or how much they spend. They draw from an invisible source. They never keep accounts. They assume that their wealth cannot lag behind their generosity. [Joseph Roth](https://www.leafyquotes.com/joseph-roth.md) · [The Radetzky March](https://www.leafyquotes.com/joseph-roth/the-radetzky-march.md) · p. 266 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/joseph-roth/the-radetzky-march/herr-von-trotta.md) Topics: [wealth](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/wealth.md), [generosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/generosity.md) > Though the funny thing about never being asked for anything is that after a while you start to feel like maybe you don’t have anything worth giving. [Lev Grossman](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lev-grossman.md) · [The Magician King](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lev-grossman/the-magician-king.md) · p. 75 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lev-grossman/the-magician-king/though-the-funny.md) Topics: [generosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/generosity.md), [self-acceptance](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/self-acceptance.md) > "People are strength too. Care for people and you are cared for, give strength to people and you are strong. It's land and people that are a person's self, and to give to the land and to give to the people is the best taonga of all. Giving is strength. We've always known it..." (The Stories, chapter 28 p176) [Patricia Grace](https://www.leafyquotes.com/patricia-grace.md) · [Potiki](https://www.leafyquotes.com/patricia-grace/potiki.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/patricia-grace/potiki/people-are-strength.md) Topics: [community](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/community.md), [generosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/generosity.md) > The gifts of the earth are to be shared, but gifts are not limitless. The generosity of the earth is not an invitation to take it all. [Robin Wall Kimmerer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robin-wall-kimmerer.md) · [Braiding Sweetgrass](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robin-wall-kimmerer/braiding-sweetgrass.md) · p. 382 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robin-wall-kimmerer/braiding-sweetgrass/the-gifts-of-the.md) Topics: [moderation](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/moderation.md), [generosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/generosity.md) > The earth are all in one bowl, all to be shared from a single spoon. This is the vision of the economy of the commons, wherein resources fundamental to our well-being, like water and land and forests, are commonly held rather than commodified. Properly managed, the commons approach maintains abundance, not scarcity. These contemporary economic alternatives strongly echo the indigenous worldview in which the earth exists not as private property, but as a commons, to be tended with respect and reciprocity for the benefit of all. And yet, while creating an alternative to destructive economic structures is imperative, it is not enough. It is not just changes in policies that we need, but also changes to the heart. Scarcity and plenty are as much qualities of the mind and spirit as they are of the economy. Gratitude plants the seed for abundance. [Robin Wall Kimmerer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robin-wall-kimmerer.md) · [Braiding Sweetgrass](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robin-wall-kimmerer/braiding-sweetgrass.md) · p. 376 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robin-wall-kimmerer/braiding-sweetgrass/the-earth-are.md) Topics: [gratitude](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gratitude.md), [generosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/generosity.md) > In learning reciprocity, the hands can lead the heart. [Robin Wall Kimmerer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robin-wall-kimmerer.md) · [Braiding Sweetgrass](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robin-wall-kimmerer/braiding-sweetgrass.md) · p. 240 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robin-wall-kimmerer/braiding-sweetgrass/in-learning-reciprocity.md) Topics: [generosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/generosity.md) > Reciprocity is a matter of keeping the gift in motion through self-perpetuating cycles of giving and receiving. [Robin Wall Kimmerer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robin-wall-kimmerer.md) · [Braiding Sweetgrass](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robin-wall-kimmerer/braiding-sweetgrass.md) · p. 165 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robin-wall-kimmerer/braiding-sweetgrass/reciprocity-is-a-matter.md) Topics: [generosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/generosity.md) > Through reciprocity the gift is replenished. All of our flourishing is mutual. [Robin Wall Kimmerer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robin-wall-kimmerer.md) · [Braiding Sweetgrass](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robin-wall-kimmerer/braiding-sweetgrass.md) · p. 166 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robin-wall-kimmerer/braiding-sweetgrass/through-reciprocity-the.md) Topics: [generosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/generosity.md) > Respect one another, support one another, bring your gift to the world and receive the gifts of others, and there will be enough for all. [Robin Wall Kimmerer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robin-wall-kimmerer.md) · [Braiding Sweetgrass](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robin-wall-kimmerer/braiding-sweetgrass.md) · p. 132 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robin-wall-kimmerer/braiding-sweetgrass/respect-one-another.md) Topics: [respect](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/respect.md), [generosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/generosity.md) > We are showered every day with gifts, but they are not meant for us to keep. Their life is in their movement, the inhale and the exhale of our shared breath. Our work and our joy is to pass along the gift and to trust that what we put out into the universe will always come back. [Robin Wall Kimmerer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robin-wall-kimmerer.md) · [Braiding Sweetgrass](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robin-wall-kimmerer/braiding-sweetgrass.md) · p. 104 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robin-wall-kimmerer/braiding-sweetgrass/we-are-showered.md) Topics: [generosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/generosity.md), [gifts](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gifts.md) > In the gift economy, gifts are not free. The essence of the gift is that it creates a set of relationships. The currency of a gift economy is, at its root, reciprocity. [Robin Wall Kimmerer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robin-wall-kimmerer.md) · [Braiding Sweetgrass](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robin-wall-kimmerer/braiding-sweetgrass.md) · p. 28 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robin-wall-kimmerer/braiding-sweetgrass/in-the-gift.md) Topics: [generosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/generosity.md), [gifts](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gifts.md) > Regenerative economies that reciprocate the gift are the only path forward. To replenish the possibility of mutual flourishing, for birds and berries and people, we need an economy that shares the gifts of the Earth, following the lead of our oldest teachers, the plants. They invite us all into the circle to give our human gifts in return for all we are given. How will we answer? [Robin Wall Kimmerer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robin-wall-kimmerer.md) · [The Serviceberry](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robin-wall-kimmerer/the-serviceberry.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robin-wall-kimmerer/the-serviceberry/regenerative-economies-that.md) Topics: [ecology](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/ecology.md), [generosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/generosity.md) > If the Sun is the source of flow in the economy of nature, what is the "Sun" of a human gift economy, the source that constantly replenishes the flow of gifts? Maybe it is love. [Robin Wall Kimmerer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robin-wall-kimmerer.md) · [The Serviceberry](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robin-wall-kimmerer/the-serviceberry.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robin-wall-kimmerer/the-serviceberry/if-the-sun.md) Topics: [love](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/love.md), [generosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/generosity.md) > gift economies arise from the abundance of gifts from the Earth, which are owned by no one and therefore shared. Sharing engenders relationships of goodwill and bonds that ensure you will be invited to the feast when your neighbor is fortunate. Security is ensured by nurturing the bonds of reciprocity. You can store meat in your own pantry or in the belly of your brother. Both have the result of keeping hunger at bay but with very different consequences for the people and for the land which provided that sustenance. [Robin Wall Kimmerer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robin-wall-kimmerer.md) · [The Serviceberry](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robin-wall-kimmerer/the-serviceberry.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robin-wall-kimmerer/the-serviceberry/gift-economies-arise.md) Topics: [community](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/community.md), [generosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/generosity.md) > I came to realize that one single human being, comprehended in his depth, who gives generously from the treasures of his heart, bestows on us more riches than Caesar or Alexander could ever conquer. Here is our kingdom, the best of monarchies, the best republic. Here is our garden, our happiness. [Ernst Jünger](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ernst-junger.md) · [The Glass Bees](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ernst-junger/the-glass-bees.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ernst-junger/the-glass-bees/i-came-to-realize.md) Topics: [human nature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/human-nature.md), [happiness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/happiness.md), [generosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/generosity.md) > If you're only pointing to your own stuff online, you're doing it wrong. [...] If you want to get, you have to give. If you want to be noticed, you have to notice. Shut up and listen once in a while. [Austin Kleon](https://www.leafyquotes.com/austin-kleon.md) · [Show Your Work!](https://www.leafyquotes.com/austin-kleon/show-your-work.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/austin-kleon/show-your-work/if-youre-only.md) Topics: [listening](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/listening.md), [generosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/generosity.md) > Be open, share imperfect and unfinished work that you want feedback on, but don't share absolutely everything. [...] The act of sharing is one of generosity— you're putting something out there because you think it might be helpful or entertaining to someone on the other side of the screen. [Austin Kleon](https://www.leafyquotes.com/austin-kleon.md) · [Show Your Work!](https://www.leafyquotes.com/austin-kleon/show-your-work.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/austin-kleon/show-your-work/be-open-share.md) Topics: [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md), [generosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/generosity.md) > Such is the power of mindful, selfless generosity. At the deepest level, there is no giver, no gift, and no recipient…only the universe rearranging itself. [Jon Kabat-Zinn](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jon-kabat-zinn.md) · [Wherever You Go, There You Are](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jon-kabat-zinn/wherever-you-go-there-you-are.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jon-kabat-zinn/wherever-you-go-there-you-are/such-is-the.md) Topics: [generosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/generosity.md) > “Is it better to give or receive?” > > “They’re the same,” I said. “One can’t exist without the other. But if you keep giving without receiving, you’re a fool.” [Nnedi Okorafor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nnedi-okorafor.md) · [Who Fears Death](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nnedi-okorafor/who-fears-death.md) · p. 111 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nnedi-okorafor/who-fears-death/is-it-better.md) Topics: [generosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/generosity.md) > I learned that you can't truly own anything, that true ownership comes only in the moment of giving. [Mia Farrow](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mia-farrow.md) · [What Falls Away](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mia-farrow/what-falls-away.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mia-farrow/what-falls-away/i-learned-that.md) Topics: [generosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/generosity.md) > “I don’t feel any vulgar gratitude to you. I almost feel as if ought to be grateful to for giving you the opportunity of enjoying the luxury of generosity. I know you like it. For anything I can tell, I may have come into the world expressly for the purpose of increasing your stock of happiness.” [Charles Dickens](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-dickens.md) · [Bleak House](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-dickens/bleak-house.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-dickens/bleak-house/i-dont-feel.md) Topics: [irony](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/irony.md), [generosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/generosity.md) > She never dwelt on my lapses, and I couldn’t entirely parse why this made me feel so awful. There’s a low-level, specific pain in having to accept that putting up with you requires a certain generosity of spirit in your loved ones. [Emily St John Mandel](https://www.leafyquotes.com/emily-st-john-mandel.md) · [Sea of Tranquility](https://www.leafyquotes.com/emily-st-john-mandel/sea-of-tranquility.md) · p. 116 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/emily-st-john-mandel/sea-of-tranquility/she-never-dwelt.md) Topics: [love](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/love.md), [generosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/generosity.md) > “Ideology is all there is.” > > “Really? I would have thought there were many other human qualities worth considering. Fairness. Generosity. A sense of humour. A willingness to see the best in people, even those we do not automatically agree with.” [Alastair Reynolds](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alastair-reynolds.md) · [Poseidon's Wake](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alastair-reynolds/poseidons-wake.md) · p. 260 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alastair-reynolds/poseidons-wake/ideology-is-all.md) Topics: [justice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/justice.md), [generosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/generosity.md), [ideology](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/ideology.md) > Deeds that seemed unimportant at the time would prove to have been momentous; a tiny act of selfishness and unkindness or, conversely, an unconsidered act of generosity would become the measure of a human life. [Karen Armstrong](https://www.leafyquotes.com/karen-armstrong.md) · [Muhammad](https://www.leafyquotes.com/karen-armstrong/muhammad.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/karen-armstrong/muhammad/deeds-that-seemed.md) Topics: [kindness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/kindness.md), [generosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/generosity.md) > There were thousands of moving messages. People sent money from their first month’s salary. Others said: This is my retirement payment—take it. This is the money for my next pair of shoes—take it. It was very important for me to see and hear those things. Normally you do not see the warmth, humor, care and generosity of the people while writing a blog. You just feel like you are walking in a dark tunnel and you feel alone. [Ai Weiwei](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ai-weiwei.md) · [Ai Weiwei](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ai-weiwei/ai-weiwei.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ai-weiwei/ai-weiwei/there-were-thousands.md) Topics: [generosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/generosity.md), [solidarity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/solidarity.md) > To despise riches may, indeed, be philosophic; but to dispense them worthily must, surely, be more beneficial to mankind. [Frances Burney](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frances-burney.md) · [Evelina](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frances-burney/evelina.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frances-burney/evelina/to-despise-riches.md) Topics: [wealth](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/wealth.md), [generosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/generosity.md) > I knew how it was with drunks. They ran out of generosity, even for themselves. [Ross Macdonald](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ross-macdonald.md) · [Sleeping Beauty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ross-macdonald/sleeping-beauty.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ross-macdonald/sleeping-beauty/i-knew-how.md) Topics: [alcohol](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/alcohol.md), [generosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/generosity.md) > You are too calculating. Don't tell me you are young. Youth gives all it can: it gives itself without reserve. [Josemaría Escrivá](https://www.leafyquotes.com/josemaria-escriva.md) · [The Way](https://www.leafyquotes.com/josemaria-escriva/the-way.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/josemaria-escriva/the-way/you-are-too.md) Topics: [youth](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/youth.md), [generosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/generosity.md) > Again, in our enterprises we present the singular spectacle of daring and deliberation, each carried to its highest point, and both united in the same persons; although usually decision is the fruit of ignorance, hesitation of reflection. But the palm of courage will surely be adjudged most justly to those, who best know the difference between hardship and pleasure and yet are never tempted to shrink from danger. In generosity we are equally singular, acquiring our friends by conferring, not by receiving, favours. [Thucydides](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thucydides.md) · [History of the Peloponnesian War](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thucydides/history-of-the-peloponnesian-war.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thucydides/history-of-the-peloponnesian-war/again-in-our.md) Topics: [courage](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/courage.md), [generosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/generosity.md) > "Do the kinds of things that come from the heart. When you do, you won’t be dissatisfied, you won’t be envious, you won’t be longing for somebody else’s things. On the contrary, you’ll be overwhelmed with what comes back." [Mitch Albom](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mitch-albom.md) · [Tuesdays with Morrie](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mitch-albom/tuesdays-with-morrie.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mitch-albom/tuesdays-with-morrie/do-the-kinds.md) Topics: [jealousy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/jealousy.md), [generosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/generosity.md) > Let us forget all that we are taught about how it is noble to give and humiliating to receive. Because for most people, generosity consists only in giving, but receiving is also an act of love. Allowing someone else to make us happy will make them happy too. [Paulo Coelho](https://www.leafyquotes.com/paulo-coelho.md) · [Manuscript Found in Accra](https://www.leafyquotes.com/paulo-coelho/manuscript-found-in-accra.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/paulo-coelho/manuscript-found-in-accra/let-us-forget.md) Topics: [generosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/generosity.md) > You must remember always to give, of everything you have. You must give foolishly even. You must be extravagant. You must give to all who come into your life. Then nothing and no one shall have power to cheat you of anything, for if you give to a thief, he cannot steal from you, and he himself is then no longer a thief. And the more you give, the more you will have to give. [William Saroyan](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-saroyan.md) · [The Human Comedy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-saroyan/the-human-comedy.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-saroyan/the-human-comedy/you-must-remember.md) Topics: [generosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/generosity.md)