Gifts and Giving Quotes

Surprises are foolish things. The pleasure is not enhanced, and the inconvenience is often considerable.

Jane Austen

The manner of giving is worth more than the gift.

Pierre Corneille

One must be poor to know the luxury of giving!

George Eliot

Giving presents is a talent; to know what a person wants, to know when and how to get it, to give it lovingly and well. Unless a character possesses this talent there is no moment more annihilating to ease than that in which a present is received and given.

Pamela Glenconner

There is sublime thieving in all giving. Someone gives us all he has and we are his.

Eric Hoffer

Bounty always receives part of its value from the manner in which it is bestowed.

Samuel Johnson

What is called generosity is usually only the vanity of giving; we enjoy the vanity more than the thing given.

Francois Duc de La Rochefoucauld

Some people have a knack of putting upon you gifts of no real value, to engage you to substantial gratitude. We thank them for nothing.

Charles Lamb

This is what is hardest: to close the open hand because one loves.

Friedrich Nietzsche

A gift in season is a double favor to the needy.

Publilius Syrus

Behold, I do not give lectures or a little charity, When I give I give myself.

Walt Whitman