The Prophet

By Kahlil Gibran

On Giving…

You often say, “I would give, but only to the desrving.” The trees in your orchard say not so, nor the flocks in your pasture. They give that they may live, for to withhold is to perish. Surely he who is worthy to receive his days and his nights is worthy of all else from you. And he who has deserved to drink from the ocean of life deserves to fill his cup from your little stream.  And what desert greater shall there be, than that which lies in the courage and the confidence, nay the charity, of receiving?

See first that you yourself desrve to be a giver, and an instrument of giving.  For in truth it is life that gives unto life – while you, who deem yourself a giver, are but a witness.

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.