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Proportion thy charity to the strength of thy estate, lest God proportion thy estate to the weakness of thy charity. Let the lips of the poor be the trumpet of thy gift, lest in seeking applause thou lose thy reward. Nothing is more pleasing to God than an open hand and a close mouth.

— Francis Quarles

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Kindness

More quotes by Francis Quarles

The next way home's the farthest way about.

Emblems (1635)

Death aims with fouler spite
At fairer marks.

Luxury is an enticing pleasure, a bastard mirth, which hath honey in her mouth, gall in her heart, and a sting in her tail.

Let the fear of a danger be a spur to prevent it: He that fears otherwise, gives advantage to the danger.

Enchiridion (1640)

Even such is man, whose glory lends
His life a blaze or two, and ends.

Hos ego versiculos (1629)

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Affectation hides three times as many virtues as charity does sins.

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A daughter who respects you while you’re alive is far better than a son who performs the rites and rituals after you’re gone.

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O proud philanthropist, your hope is vain
To get by giving what you lost by gain.

Ambrose Bierce

Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Francis Quarles (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.