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To give alms is nothing unless you give thought also.
John Ruskin
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Giving aid is meaningless without genuine consideration for those in need.

This quote by John Ruskin emphasizes the importance of thoughtful generosity. It suggests that simply providing material assistance, such as alms, is not sufficient if it lacks empathy and understanding of the recipient's circumstances. True compassion involves engaging with the needs and dignity of others, rather than just performing a charitable act out of obligation or for appearance's sake.

Themes

AlmsThoughtGenerosityEmpathyCompassion

In practice

Example use cases

During a charity event, to underscore the importance of meaningful donations, one might share this quote.

More from John Ruskin

Endurance is nobler than strength, and patience than beauty.
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In health of mind and body, men should see with their own eyes, hear and speak without trumpets, walk on their feet, not on wheels, and work and war with their arms, not with engine-beams, nor rifles warranted to kill twenty men at a shot before you can see them.
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You talk of the scythe of Time, and the tooth of Time: I tell you, Time is scytheless and toothless; it is we who gnaw like the worm - we who smite like the scythe. It is ourselves who abolish - ourselves who consume: we are the mildew, and the flame.
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To be able to ask a question clearly is two-thirds of the way to getting it answered.
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See that your children be taught, not only the labors of the earth, but the loveliness of it.
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A little thought and a little kindness are often worth more than a great deal of money.
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Quote by John Ruskin | QuoteProject