Bernard Berenson Quotes

Dâna, charity. There is no higher virtue than charity. The lowest man is he whose hand draws in, in receiving; and he is the highest man whose hand goes out in giving. The hand was made to give always. Give the last bit of bread you have even if you are starving. You will be free in a moment if you starve yourself to death by giving to another. Immediately you will be perfect, you will become God.

I didn't want my epitaph to read 'Here lies John Caudwell, billionaire.' I knew that wasn't enough. I've had a charitable instinct all my life, but working gave me no time for it.

Nothing brings me more happiness than trying to help the most vulnerable people in society. It is a goal and an essential part of my life - a kind of destiny. Whoever is in distress can call on me. I will come running wherever they are.

Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'

Generosity during life is a very different thing from generosity in the hour of death; one proceeds from genuine liberality and benevolence, the other from pride or fear.

I was raised in a very humble environment, and I was always taught to be humble to the things that are happening in my life because they're blessings. They're blessings in every way. Whether you're able to help someone get through a tough time in their life through your music or through comedy, or whatever it is, you're just a channel.

No time is better spent than that spent in the service of your fellow man.

One of the things that evangelicals do really, really well is to make giving a joyous, social enterprise. Too often, the world sees giving as a burden, a sacrifice, when in fact it's more like an opportunity to help others and oneself at the same time.

My father is the man that, he will give you what he doesn't have, still. If he has 10 bucks and you need 10 bucks because you're sick or you don't have nothing to eat, he will give you 10 bucks. He will be at zero, but he will help you. That's the kind of man that my father is.

The most satisfying thing in life is to have been able to give a large part of one's self to others.

I was a young girl the first time I learned about the concept of paying it forward.

I am willing to make any part of my life public, if it will help others.

Whenever I see people in difficulty, I just try to help them. In fact, I believe I have helped over 700,000 people in my life.

Sometimes you can do things for people other than yourself.

I've never been a person to share my private life, but I can help save lives.

I worshipped money so much that it ruined my life. Money is not my god. I just want to manage His money for Him, for the poor people, the lost kids. I just love everybody.

The American Dream means giving it your all, trying your hardest, accomplishing something. And then I'd add to that, giving something back. No definition of a successful life can do anything but include serving others.

My mother wasn't a very patient woman. If I complained about being lonely or bored, she'd tell me to go help someone, anyone. To this day, when I start feeling sorry for myself, I look for a good deed to do.

There's no greater source of happiness than giving yourself to other people.

The best thing I learned from Manute was to be selfless. He was always about his people. He was about helping others.

My heart always likes to give, and if I'm going to help somebody it might as well be someone who can't help themselves.

Give your hands to serve and your hearts to love.

When a man dies he clutches in his hands only that which he has given away during his lifetime.

Altruism accrues little benefit to those lying cold in the gutter.

Love is not patronizing and charity isn't about pity, it is about love. Charity and love are the same -- with charity you give love, so don't just give money but reach out your hand instead.