quotations about benevolence
When our passive feelings are almost always so sordid and so selfish, how comes it that our active principles should often be so generous and so noble? When we are always so much more deeply affected by whatever concerns ourselves, than by whatever concerns other men; what is it which prompts the generous, upon all occasions, and the mean upon many, to sacrifice their own interests to the greater interests of others? It is not the soft power of humanity, it is not that feeble spark of benevolence which Nature has lighted up in the human heart, that is thus capable of counteracting the strongest impulses of self-love. It is a stronger power, a more forcible motive, which exerts itself upon such occasions. It is reason, principle, conscience, the inhabitant of the breast, the man within, the great judge and arbiter of our conduct.
ADAM SMITH
The Theory of Moral Sentiments
He who bestows his goods upon the poor,
Shall have as much again, and ten times more.
JOHN BUNYAN
The Pilgrim's Progress
The benevolent affections will not revolve around selfishness; the cold-hearted must expect to meet coldness; the proud, haughtiness; the passionate, anger; and the violent, rudeness. Those who forget the rights of others, must not be surprised if their own are forgotten; and those who stoop to the lowest embraces of sense must not wonder, if others are not concerned to find their prostrate honor, and lift it up to the remembrance and respect of the world.
ALBERT PIKE
Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry
The most acceptable service of God is doing good to man.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
Autobiography
Noble people don't do things for the money, they simply have money, and that's what allows they to be noble. They don't really have to think about it much; they sprout benevolent acts the way trees sprout leaves.
MARGARET ATWOOD
Hag-Seed
Benevolence is the distinguishing characteristic of man. As embodied in man's conduct, it is called the path of duty.
MENCIUS
Works
The intensity of private attachment encourages, not prevents, universal benevolence.
SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE
attributed, Romantic Poetry: Recent Revisionary Criticism
Benevolence is not merely a feeling, but a principle; it is not a dream of rapture for the fancy to indulge in, but a business for the hand to execute.
THOMAS CHALMERS
attributed, Day's Collacon
Government is either organized benevolence or organized madness; its peculiar magnitude permits no shading.
JOHN UPDIKE
Buchanan Dying
In ev'ry sorrowing soul I pour'd delight,
And poverty stood smiling in my sight.
HOMER
The Odyssey
There is no beautifier of complexion, or form, or behavior, like the wish to scatter joy and not pain around us.
RALPH WALDO EMERSON
Conduct of Life