--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Be not niggardly of what costs thee…" description: "\"Be not niggardly of what costs thee nothing, as courtesy, counsel, & countenance.\" — Benjamin Franklin" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d5/benjamin-franklin-65_cost_be-not-niggardly-of-what-costs-thee-noth_2586779.png" --- # Be not niggardly of what costs thee nothing, as courtesy… ![“Be not niggardly of what costs thee nothing, as courtesy, counsel, & countenance.” quote by Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d5/benjamin-franklin-65_cost_be-not-niggardly-of-what-costs-thee-noth_2586779.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d5/benjamin-franklin-65_cost_be-not-niggardly-of-what-costs-thee-noth_2586779.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d5/benjamin-franklin-65_cost_be-not-niggardly-of-what-costs-thee-noth_2586779.png) > “Be not niggardly of what costs thee nothing, as courtesy, counsel, & countenance.” [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Encourages generosity even with things that cost nothing, like courtesy and counsel, as they hold value beyond material price. **In simple terms:** Be generous with non‑material gifts. Key Takeaway Offer kindness freely. Themes generosity courtesy relationships Mood thoughtful encouraging Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - daily interactions - leadership - mentoring Key Concepts social capital reciprocity Questions to Reflect On - How can small acts of courtesy change a relationship? - What non‑material gifts do you give often? A Different Perspective Some may see such gestures as insignificant. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Courtesy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courtesy/) ## Related quotes > [How lovely is death; and how niggardly it is doled out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/how-lovely-is-death-and-how-niggardly-it-is-doled-out/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [“As a result of these news stories, millions of people must have become aware of "niggardly," who otherwise would never have heard it, let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-derbyshire/as-a-result-of-these-news-stories-millions-of-people-must-have-become/) [John Derbyshire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-derbyshire/) > [The Sting of a reproach, is the Truth of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/the-sting-of-a-reproach-is-the-truth-of-it/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [An ounce of wit that is bought, Is worth a pound that is taught.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/an-ounce-of-wit-that-is-bought-is-worth-a-pound-that-is-taught/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [He is no clown that drives the plow, but he that doth clownish things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/he-is-no-clown-that-drives-the-plow-but-he-that-doth-clownish-things/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [The most exquisite folly is made of wisdom spun too fine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/the-most-exquisite-folly-is-made-of-wisdom-spun-too-fine/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [The cunning man steals a horse, the wise man lets him alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/the-cunning-man-steals-a-horse-the-wise-man-lets-him-alone/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Thou can'st not joke an enemy into a friend, but thou may'st a friend into an enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/thou-can-st-not-joke-an-enemy-into-a-friend-but-thou-may-st-a-friend/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [So much for industry, my friends, and attention to one's own business; but to these we must add frugality if we would make our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/so-much-for-industry-my-friends-and-attention-to-one-s-own-business/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [He that speaks ill of the mare will buy her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/he-that-speaks-ill-of-the-mare-will-buy-her/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [A man in a passion, rides a mad horse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/a-man-in-a-passion-rides-a-mad-horse/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [It is better to take many injuries than to give one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/it-is-better-to-take-many-injuries-than-to-give-one/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [He that sows thorns should never go barefoot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/he-that-sows-thorns-should-never-go-barefoot/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Love your Neighbour; yet don't pull down your Hedge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/love-your-neighbour-yet-don-t-pull-down-your-hedge/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Think of these things, whence you came, where you are going, and to whom you must account.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/think-of-these-things-whence-you-came-where-you-are-going-and-to-whom/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) ## More by Benjamin Franklin > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. 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