Posthumous charities are the very essence of selfishness, when bequeathed by those who, when alive, would part with nothing.—Colton.
The drying up a single tear has more
Of honest fame, than shedding seas of gore.
—Byron.
Be charitable and indulgent to every one but yourself.—Joubert.
Almost all the virtues that can be named are enwrapt in one virtue of charity and love:—for "it suffereth long," and so it is longanimity; it "is kind," and so it is courtesy; it "vaunteth not itself," and so it is modesty; it "is not puffed up," and so it is humility; it "is not easily provoked," and so it is lenity; it "thinketh no evil," and so it is simplicity; it "rejoiceth in the truth," and so it is verity; it "beareth all things," and so it is fortitude; it "believeth all things," and so it is faith; it "hopeth all things," and so it is confidence; it "endureth all things," and so it is patience; it "never faileth," and so it is perseverance.—Chillingworth.
As every lord giveth a certain livery to his servants, charity is the very livery of Christ. Our Saviour, who is the Lord above all lords, would have his servants known by their badge, which is love.—Latimer.
You must have a genius for charity as well as for anything else.—Thoreau.
Prayer carries us half way to God, fasting brings us to the door of his palace, and alms-giving procures us admission.—Koran.
Above all things have fervent charity among yourselves; for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.—1 Peter 4:8.
It is an old saying, that charity begins at home; but this is no reason it should not go abroad. A man should live with the world as a citizen of the world; he may have a preference for the particular quarter or square, or even alley, in which he lives, but he should have a generous feeling for the welfare of the whole.—Cumberland.
Alas for the rarity of Christian charity under the sun!—Hood.