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Ruth Ross, Frederic Brussat's Twitter Collection
It is precisely at those times when we feel needy that we will benefit most from giving.
We benefit most from giving
Muhammad ibn al-Husayn al-Sulami, The Book of Sufi Chivalry
Respond to cruelty with kindness, and do not punish for an error.
Respond to cruelty with kindness
Brenda Shoshanna, The Anger Diet
There's a huge difference between giving to someone and manipulating him or her. Manipulation, disguised as giving, is when one gives in order to get something in return, or to make a point. This is not true giving, but giving that hooks others in, often making them feel badly about themselves. It is giving that demands returns. There is a price tag that always goes with it.
This is not true giving
John Skoyles, Generous Strangers
Somewhere I read that we take into the next world only those things we have given away here on earth.
We take into the next world
Lex Hixon, The Heart of the Quran
Do not try to take the welfare of the universe into your own hands, but be the selfless and effective instrument of Allah's Own boundless Generosity.
Be an effective instrument of Allah's Generosity
Matthew Fox, Sins of the Spirit, Blessings of the Flesh
If we are generous then our ways will be generous. And if we as a species can grow in generosity then we will be worthy to continue and indeed to thrive on this kindly planet in this kindly though tumultuous universe where all — flesh and spirit, creation and Creator — are kin.
If we are generous then our ways will be
Edward Hays, Prayer Notes to a Friend
Make extravagant generosity your greatest vice and become God-like.
Make extravant generosity your greatest vice
365 Ways to Change the World
Anonymous generosity
"The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up."
— Mark Twain
"God loves a cheerful giver."
— notice seen in Mother Teresa's office
"Think about the idea of giving freely to someone, without being asked or being expected to give, without your knowing them or their knowing you.
"For example, you are crossing a toll bridge, and you decide to pay not just your own fare but also the fare of the car behind you. You leave a card, saying that this is an act of generosity from a complete stranger. Why don't they then do something that will make someone else happy . . . and pass the card on. They put a $10 note with the card next to an ATM machine, to be picked up by someone who needs the money. That person then buys an extra ticket at the cinema for the next customer, who buys a drink in a bar for a person selected at random . . . and so the process goes on. There will be lots of happy people who have taken pleasure in making lots of other people happy.
"It is attitudes and not just acts that can make a difference. Making another person happy could be like a butterfly flapping its wings and causing a hurricane thousands of miles away. Your unattributable act of generosity could be the start of a wind of change.
"Give It Forward Today: www.giveitforwardtoday.org
The eight degrees of charity
"Charity is a part of every religion. Moses Maimonides was a Jewish sage who lived in the 12th century. He suggested that there were eight degrees of charity:
"Bottom level: Giving to a poor person unwillingly. It is better not to give at all.
"Seventh level: Giving to a poor person with a glad heart and a smile.
"Sixth level: Giving to a poor person after being asked.
"Fifth level: Giving to a poor person before being asked.
"Fourth level: Not knowing who you are giving to, but allowing the recipients to know who their benefactor is.
"Third level: Knowing who you are giving to, but not allowing the recipients to know who their benefactor is.
"Second level: Giving to the poor, but not knowing who you are giving to, nor allowing the recipients to know who their benefactor is.
"Top level: Investing in a poor person, so that a solution to his or her problem is found.
. . .a true act of charity
Perform two acts of generosity today.
• Go to the Give It Forward Today (GIFT) website, created by 12-year-old Alex Southmayd. He gives lots of ideas, plus you can download GIFT Certificates for the recipients of your generosity.
• Download two GIFT Certificates with the message 'You have been GIFTed. Your mission (if you accept it) is to GIFT two human beings with an act of kindness. Please pass this on . . . ' "
Michael Norton on generosity making a difference in the world.
Let Go, Move On
"We often say in Chinese, 'Upon receiving a drop of generosity from others, we should repay it with gratitude in gushing torrents.' This is such a wonderful way to relate to others! In reflecting on our lives in this world, the help and generosity we receive from others is far from being just a 'drop' — the benefits of all heaven and earth have been bestowed on us! In our lives, our parents' efforts to raise us can hardly be compared to a drop of water. Our teachers educate us, so our gratitude to them should be as immense as the ocean.
"Then there is the care and encouragement we receive from our friends and relatives and the daily necessities furnished by people from the different trades and professions. When we want to take a walk, there are parks in every community. When we want to go somewhere, there are broad, smooth highways everywhere. Bus drivers take us to our destinations when we wish to visit our friends. The postal carrier delivers our mail through sleet and snow, and technicians work hard to install the necessary wiring so that we can telephone our loved ones thousands of miles away and our homes can be lit up with electricity. Should we need anything, the shops and malls are full of products to satisfy our every need. At mealtime, the food on the table is nutritious and delicious. We should realize that every stitch of clothing and each morsel of food is not so easy to come by. We have received all kinds of causes and conditions from our families and relatives and all kinds of support from our communities that enable us to live in abundance and ease. Therefore, 'do not dismiss a drop of water for its small size, and do not regard a small act of kindness as being negligible.'
"A drop of water is the result of the strength of the universe, and a small act of kindness is the accomplishment of all of one's good intentions. The offering of a small part of our hearts is as good as any other offering to all the Dharma realms and sentient beings in all directions.”
Venerable Master Hsing Yin on being grateful for the generosity of others.