quotations about benevolence
The smallest grain of natural honesty and benevolence has more effect on men's conduct, than the most pompous views suggested by theological theories and systems.
CECILIA GRANT
A Christmas Gone Perfectly Wrong
As the rose breatheth sweetness from its own nature, so the heart of a benevolent man produceth good works.
ROBERT DODSLEY
The Economy of Human Life
A beneficent person is like a fountain watering the earth and spreading fertility.
EPICURUS
attributed, Bible Illustrations
Why do I sense, benevolence
You stand tall at my great expense
Thick words of gratitude, what a price to pay
Stuck in my throat, I sell every word I say
But I don't want your charity
Twisting me round
I don't want your charity
Keeping me down
SKUNK ANANSIE
"Charity"
Benevolence is a duty. He who frequently practises it, and sees his benevolent intentions realized, at length comes really to love him to whom he has done good. When, therefore, it is said, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself," it is not meant, thou shalt love him first, and do good to him in consequence of that love, but, thou shalt do good to thy neighbour, and this thy beneficence will engender in thee that love to mankind which is the fulness and consummation of the inclination to do good.
EMMANUEL KANT
Kant's Critique of Practical Reason and Other Works on the Theory of Ethics
We rise by raising others--and he who stoops above the fallen, stands erect.
ROBERT G. INGERSOLL
Tribute to Roscoe Conkling
The hands that help are holier than the lips that pray.
ROBERT G. INGERSOLL
The Children of the Stage
How quickly a truly benevolent act is repaid by the consciousness of having done it.
HOSEA BALLOU
Edge-Tools of Speech
Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
Strength to Love
Myself not ignorant of adversity, I have learned to befriend the unhappy.
VIRGIL
The Aeneid
Take egotism out, and you would castrate the benefactors.
RALPH WALDO EMERSON
Journals
I was a father to the poor.
JOB
Job 29:16
No people do so much harm as those who go about doing good.
MANDELL CREIGHTON
Life
Only those live who do good.
LEO TOLSTOY
My Confession
I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.
STEPHEN GRELLET
attributed, The Home Book of Quotations
To a man of honor ... the unfortunate need no introduction.
SMOLLETT
Adventures of Ferdinand Count Fathom
Wherever the tree of benevolence takes root, it sends forth branches above the sky.
SAADI
Gulistan
Benevolence is a world of itself -- a world which mankind, as yet, have hardly begun to explore. We have, as it were, only skirted along its coasts for a few leagues, without penetrating the recesses, or gathering the riches of its vast interior.
HORACE MANN
A Few Thoughts for a Young Man
In nothing do men more nearly approach the gods than in doing good to their fellow-men.
CICERO
Pro Ligario
But deep this truth impress'd my mind--
Thro' all His works abroad,
The heart benevolent and kind
The most resembles God.
ROBERT BURNS
The Works of Robert Burns