Adam Smith Quotes

Philanthropy should be voluntary.

Beneficence is a duty. He who frequently practices 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 neighbor as thyself," it is not meant, thou shalt love him first and do him good in consequence of that love, but, thou shalt do good to thy neighbor; and this thy beneficence will engender in thee that love to mankind which is the fulness and consummation of the inclination to do good.

Charity is to will and do what is just and right in every transaction.

Generosity is the flower of justice.

Men resemble the gods in nothing so much as in doing good to their fellow creatures.

We all have the duty to do good.

In the time we have it is surely our duty to do all the good we can to all the people we can in all the ways we can.

Good character consists of recognizing the selfishness that inheres in each of us and trying to balance it against the altruism to which we should all aspire. It is a difficult balance to strike, but no definition of goodness can be complete without it.

Nothing is more pleasing and engaging than the sense of having conferred benefits. Not even the gratification of receiving them.

The gods do not need sacrifices, so what might one do to please them? Acquire wisdom, it seems to me, and do all the good in one's power to those humans who deserve it.

With wealth, one is in a position of responsibility. You must try to help others. It is as simple as that.

The impersonal hand of government can never replace the helping hand of a neighbor.

As for charity, it is a matter in which the immediate effect on the persons directly concerned, and the ultimate consequence to the general good, are apt to be at complete war with one another.

We didn't grow up overly religious, but there was an understanding that you had a duty as a citizen to help your fellow man.

The propensity to do good things is a choice.

All the blessings we enjoy are Divine deposits, committed to our trust on this condition, that they should be dispensed for the benefit of our neighbors.

Charity creates a multitude of sins.

It is the true duty of every man to promote the happiness of his fellow creatures to the utmost of his power.

It is unacceptable to be silent about American generosity.

Your government is still on the same side of the street as the Good Samaritan and not those who pass by on the other side.

Whoever can, should.

In our time, there are still many, like those in the Good Samaritan story, who being of the religious classes in that time, purposely crossed to the other side of the road, and passed by the injured and bleeding.

What is superfluous to your poor estate, distribute. This is distributive charity: a virtue so sacred that crimes against it are the forerunner of inevitable doom.

As for doing good; that is one of the professions which is full. Moreover I have tried it fairly and, strange as it may seem, am satisfied that it does not agree with my constitution.

I find joy in giving donations.