Richard Thaler Quotes

People are nicer than economists give us credit for. The economists cannot understand why people would work long and hard to clean up a community after a hurricane. … Most economists don’t have any interest in or understanding of psychology.

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

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.

It is unacceptable to be silent about American generosity.

In all the ages, three-fourths of the support of the great charities has been conscience money.

The poverty of a man of benevolence is not to be considered as poverty but only as his temporary inability to exercise his inherent duty.

The part of the philanthropist is indeed a dangerous one; and the man who would do his neighbour good must first study how not to do him evil, and must begin by pulling the beam out of his own eye.

Whenever I see a homeless guy, I always run back and give him money, because I think, 'Oh my God, what if that was Jesus?'

I don't think there's anything exceptional or noble in being philanthropic. It's the other attitude that confuses me.

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.

I had one idea that never changed in my mind - that you should use your wealth to help people.

Philanthropy is in the DNA of my family.

Service to others seems the only intelligent choice for the use of wealth.

I believe in two things: One, Andrew Carnegie said, 'He who dies with wealth dies in shame.' And someone once said, 'He who gives while he lives also knows where it goes.'

For over 35 years, I've been making charitable donations anonymously.

I've been giving back since I was a teen, handing out turkeys at Thanksgiving and handing out toys at toys drives for Christmas. It's very important to give back as a youth. It's as simple as helping an old lady across the street or giving up your seat on the bus for someone who is pregnant.

From my early school days, I was brought up with the belief that we have a duty to use our talents, to volunteer and to make a contribution.

There is a moral obligation that those who have should give to those who don't.

Surplus wealth is a sacred trust which its possessor is bound to administer in his lifetime for the good of the community.

The gratification of helping others is a very American tradition and a Judeo-Christian tradition. Now it is great to see young people creating funds and giving back in all sorts of productive ways. It's a terrifically satisfying thing.

I think people like Bill Gates, who have given away enormous sums of money, are shining examples for all of us to follow.

There is the expression of selfishness and there is the expression of selflessness - but economists or theoreticians never touched that part. They said: 'Go and become a philanthropist.' I said, 'No, I can do that in the business world, create a different kind of business - a business based on selflessness.'

I always knew that I would give back. My mother and my father both believe you have to work hard and give back. That's why I was a volunteer firefighter, that's why I worked in a homeless shelter. I always knew I'd give back, elective office or not.

The culture of caring and giving permeates many Indian families. In their own way, they are engaged in philanthropic pursuits.

To be honest, we donate to projects that we think are meaningful. How society views it or how we are viewed by history, well, we'll let them decide. How others view us is out of our control.