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And you receivers - and you are all receivers - assume no weight of gratitude, lest you lay a yoke upon yourself and upon him who gives. Rather rise together with the giver on his gifts as on wings; For to be overmindful of your debt, is to doubt his generosity who has the free hearted earth for mother, and God for father.
Khalil Gibran
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote emphasizes the importance of accepting gifts without excessive gratitude that can become burdensome, encouraging an uplifting, mutual appreciation.

Khalil Gibran's quote reflects on the nature of giving and receiving, urging individuals to embrace gifts from others with a light heart. He suggests that excessive gratitude can transform the spirit of giving into a burden, creating a sense of indebtedness that diminishes the joy of generosity. Instead, he advocates for a harmonious relationship between the giver and the receiver, where both can uplift one another, celebrating the gifts of life freely given by nature and the divine.

Themes

GratitudeGenerosityGivingAppreciationDebt

In practice

Example use cases

During a wedding speech to highlight the importance of mutual support between family and friends.

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