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Charity never humiliated him who profited from it, nor ever bound him by the chains of gratitude, since it was not to him but to God that the gift was made.
Antoine De Saint-Exupery
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Charity should be given selflessly and not create a sense of indebtedness in the recipient.

This quote highlights the true nature of charity as an act of selflessness where the giver does not seek acknowledgment or gratitude from the recipient. Instead, it emphasizes that charitable acts should be understood as gifts from a higher power, which liberates both the giver and the receiver from any societal or emotional burdens associated with gratitude.

Themes

CharitySelflessnessGratitudeGiftPhilosophy

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be shared in a speech at a charity event to emphasize the true spirit of giving.

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