44 Encouraging Quotes on Generosity
The following collection of quotes is all about generosity, kindness and selflessness.
Generosity is one of the most important traits for a happy life. It’s also a trait that many people struggle with and find to be quite elusive.
These quotes speak of generosity from various angles – generosity towards yourself, generosity as an act of kindness for others, generosity as a means to improve human kind (yes, a big call!) – so you can inspire yourself, and others, to be more generous in every aspect of life. You will be glad you did.
Quotes On Generosity And Selflessness
“Selfless service alone gives the needed strength and courage to awaken the sleeping humanity in one’s heart.” Sai Baba
“There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.” John Holmes
“We are formed and moulded by our thoughts. Those whose minds are shaped by selfless thoughts give joy when they speak or act.” Buddha
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Winston Churchill
“You cannot do a kindness too soon because you never know how soon it will be too late.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
“You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” John Bunyan
“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.” Mother Teresa
“Generosity is the most natural outward expression of an inner attitude of compassion and loving-kindness.” Dalai Lama
“You can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.” John Wooden
“When we seek to discover the best in others, we somehow bring out the best in ourselves.” William Arthur Ward
“Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more.” H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“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
“Give what you have. To someone, it may be better than you dare to think.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
“The value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving.” Albert Einstein
Being Generous Quotes
“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then just feed one.” Mother Teresa
“A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal.” Steve Maraboli
“The law of prosperity is generosity. If you want more, give more.” Bob Proctor
“Your greatness is not what you have, it’s what you give.” Alice Hocker
“Help others without any reason and give without the expectation of receiving anything in return.” Roy T. Bennett
“Selfless giving is the art of living.” Frederick Lenz
“I focused on developing the habit of being as generous as possible. In just three weeks, I retrained my brain and heart to allow generosity to take full effect in my life.” Jayson Linford
“The most truly generous persons are those who give silently without hope of praise or reward.” Carol Ryrie Brink
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” Leo Buscaglia
“Be the change you wish you wish to see in the world.” Mahatma Gandhi
“You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.” Kahlil Gibran
“Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness.” Lucius Annaeus Seneca
“True generosity is an offering; given freely and out of pure love. No strings attached. No expectations. Time and love are the most valuable possession you can share.” Suze Orman
“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.” Audrey Hepburn
“Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity.” Simone Weil
“Beginning today, treat everyone you meet as if they were going to be dead by midnight. Extend to them all the care, kindness and understanding you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again.” Og Mandino
“Be a warrior when it comes to delivering on your ambitions. And a saint when it comes to treating people with respect, modelling generosity, and showing up with outright love.” Robin S. Sharma
“Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” Lao Tzu
“Give what you have. To someone, it may be better than you dare to think.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
“I’m really interested in the difference between selfishness and generosity. It confuses me to no end because sometimes it all just feels like pure indulgence on my part.” Nate Lowman
“To practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue; these five are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.” Confucius
“Real generosity toward the future lies in giving all to the present.” Albert Camus
“Happiness exists on earth, and it is won through prudent exercise of reason, knowledge of the harmony of the universe, and constant practice of generosity.” Jose Marti
“Kindness begins with the understanding that we all struggle.” Charles Glassman
“Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need.” Khalil Gibran
Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Don’t wait for other people to be loving, giving, compassionate, grateful, forgiving, generous, or friendly, lead the way.” Steve Maraboli
“To serve is beautiful, but only if it is done with joy and a whole heart and a free mind.” Pearl S. Buck
“Our only hope lies in the power of our love, generosity, tolerance and understanding and our commitment to making the world a better place for all.” Muhammad Ali
“For it is in giving that we receive.” St. Francis of Assisi
Just like gratitude, being generous in life is one of the ‘secret sauces’ to feeling happier. Try it for yourself! If you’re interested in more happy and encouraging quotes, be sure to check out:
- 21 Buddha Quotes About Happiness
- 40 Beautiful & Simple Joy Quotes
- 38 Self Compassion Quotes to Inspire Kindness & Self Acceptance
- 50+ Powerful Quotes About Kindness
- Be Proud Of Yourself Quotes: 32 Motivating Quotes
- Living A Good Life: 20 Quotes That Inspire
