7 & 7: Generous vs. Selfish

REFLECTION:

You are of little help to others if you have not first helped yourself – with knowledge, growth, health and happiness. Generosity flows from human warmth, not out of distance. Those with the greatest capacity to give, share the greatest obligation for those in need. But since they possess unlimited capacity to produce pleasures that distract they frequently excuse themselves the privilege of serving others. And the punishment is to experience life in the shallows. But for many others, of greater and lesser means, giving, and accepting without oppressive judgment, is natural and feels right. They are the blessed ones.

MUSES:

By pursuing his own interest (the individual) frequently promotes that of the society more effectually than when he really intends to promote it. I have never known much good done by those who affected to trade for the public good.
Adam Smith

Too long a sacrifice
Can make a stone of the heart.
William Butler Yeats

Unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required.
Luke 12:48

It is customary these days to ignore what should be done in favor of what pleases us.
Plautus

He who allows his day to pass by without practicing generosity and enjoying life’s pleasures is like a blacksmith’s bellows; he breathes, but does not live.
Sanskrit proverb

Teach us to give and not to count the cost.
Ignatius Loyola

To be social is to be forgiving.
Robert Frost