--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The poor can't wait. Philanthropists…" description: "\"The poor can't wait. Philanthropists needed to carry on being generous.\" — Bill Gates" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa8/bill-gates-137_being-generous_the-poor-can-t-wait-philanthropists-need_1835360.jpg" --- # The poor can't wait. Philanthropists needed to carry on… ![“The poor can't wait. Philanthropists needed to carry on being generous.” quote by Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa8/bill-gates-137_being-generous_the-poor-can-t-wait-philanthropists-need_1835360.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa8/bill-gates-137_being-generous_the-poor-can-t-wait-philanthropists-need_1835360.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa8/bill-gates-137_being-generous_the-poor-can-t-wait-philanthropists-need_1835360.jpg) > “The poor can't wait. Philanthropists needed to carry on being generous.” [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Wealth inequality demands ongoing philanthropy to address systemic poverty. **In simple terms:** Poor need help; donors must act. Key Takeaway Support sustained charitable action. Themes inequality philanthropy responsibility Mood concerned determined Type ethical motivational When to use this quote - policy advocacy - community programs - education funding Key Concepts Social justice systemic change Questions to Reflect On - How can donors ensure lasting impact? - What systemic changes are needed? A Different Perspective Philanthropy alone cannot fix structural issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Being generous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-generous/) [Carry Generous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/carry-generous-2305985/) [Generous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generous/) [Needed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needed/) [Philanthropist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philanthropist/) [Philanthropists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philanthropists/) [Philanthropists Needed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philanthropists-needed-2305983/) [Poor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poor/) [Wait Philanthropists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wait-philanthropists-2305984/) [Waiting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/waiting/) ## Related quotes > [The most amazing philanthropists are people who are actually making a significant sacrifice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/the-most-amazing-philanthropists-are-people-who-are-actually-making-a/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [The 'working poor,' as they are approvingly termed, are in fact the major philanthropists of our society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-ehrenreich/the-working-poor-as-they-are-approvingly-termed-are-in-fact-the-major/) [Barbara Ehrenreich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-ehrenreich/) > [There are philanthropists who, incapable of managing their own little affairs, take upon themselves those of the whole world; but as their creditors always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-antoine-petit-senn/there-are-philanthropists-who-incapable-of-managing-their-own-little/) [Jean Antoine Petit-Senn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-antoine-petit-senn/) > [“A truly compassionate man gives a poor woman a portion of his meal before he eats, not after he has eaten.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/a-truly-compassionate-man-gives-a-poor-woman-a-portion-of-his-meal/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [My father, one of the great entrepreneurs and philanthropists of this state, taught me that capital - monetary or political - is to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-huntsman-jr/my-father-one-of-the-great-entrepreneurs-and-philanthropists-of-this/) [Jon Huntsman, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-huntsman-jr/) > [I would say to young entrepreneurs and budding philanthropists - are you giving to feel good or do good?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-forrest/i-would-say-to-young-entrepreneurs-and-budding-philanthropists-are/) [Andrew Forrest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-forrest/) > [It meant that New York philanthropists, New York society, would now rediscover the library. ... that learning, books, education have glamour, that self-improvement has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vartan-gregorian/it-meant-that-new-york-philanthropists-new-york-society-would-now/) [Vartan Gregorian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vartan-gregorian/) > [Most organizations should be pro-active, but philanthropists concerned with poverty should deliberately be reactive, learning from the efforts of ordinary folks who tired of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-olasky/most-organizations-should-be-pro-active-but-philanthropists-concerned/) [Marvin Olasky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-olasky/) > [He is one of those wise philanthropists who, in a time of famine, would vote for nothing but a supply of toothpicks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-william-jerrold/he-is-one-of-those-wise-philanthropists-who-in-a-time-of-famine-would/) [Douglas William Jerrold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-william-jerrold/) > [Philanthropy is often seen as society's risk capital. 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The best philanthropists bring the gifts that made them successful-the drive, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-blair/the-best-philanthropy-is-not-just-about-giving-money-but-giving/) [Tony Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-blair/) > [I don't believe all rich people are selfless philanthropists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-goldberg/i-don-t-believe-all-rich-people-are-selfless-philanthropists/) [Bernard Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-goldberg/) > [There could be a powerful international women's rights movement if only philanthropists would donate as much to real women as to paintings and sculptures…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-d-kristof/there-could-be-a-powerful-international-women-s-rights-movement-if/) [Nicholas D. Kristof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-d-kristof/) > [The idea of explaining why free trade is good, why immigration is good, why the world is so connected, that we need to think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/the-idea-of-explaining-why-free-trade-is-good-why-immigration-is-good/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) ## More by Bill Gates > [If you’re a person struggling to eat and stay healthy you might have heard about Michael Jordan or Muhammad Ali, but you’ll never have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/if-you-re-a-person-struggling-to-eat-and-stay-healthy-you-might-have/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [I really had a lot of dreams when I was a kid, and I think a great deal of that grew out of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/i-really-had-a-lot-of-dreams-when-i-was-a-kid-and-i-think-a-great/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [Understanding science and pushing the boundaries of science is what makes me immensely satisfied.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/understanding-science-and-pushing-the-boundaries-of-science-is-what/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [We're focused on providing innovations in software, driving the continuous improvement for a much better experience, and there's a lot going on here that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/we-re-focused-on-providing-innovations-in-software-driving-the/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [Paper is no longer a big part of my day. 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They need to get cheaper.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/the-machines-need-to-get-faster-they-need-to-get-cheaper/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [Like many others, I have deep misgivings about the state of education in the United States. Too many of our students fail to graduate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/like-many-others-i-have-deep-misgivings-about-the-state-of-education/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [Over time, yes, countries will need to look at specific GMO products like they look at drugs today, where they don't approve them all.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/over-time-yes-countries-will-need-to-look-at-specific-gmo-products/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [Competition is always a fantastic thing, and the computer industry is intensely competitive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/competition-is-always-a-fantastic-thing-and-the-computer-industry-is/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [I don't think there's anything unique about human intellience. All the nuerons in the brain that make up perceptions and emotions operate in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/i-don-t-think-there-s-anything-unique-about-human-intellience-all-the/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [At every juncture, advanced tools have been the key to a new wave of applications, and each wave of applications has been key to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/at-every-juncture-advanced-tools-have-been-the-key-to-a-new-wave-of/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [Software is more important than hardware.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/software-is-more-important-than-hardware/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [Talking to mothers, always brings it home because they're so anxious to do everything they can for their kids and so tragic for them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/talking-to-mothers-always-brings-it-home-because-they-re-so-anxious/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) [Explore all 1,165 Bill Gates quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) ## More Being generous quotes > [The sexiest thing in the entire world is being really smart. And being thoughtful. And being generous. Everything else is crap!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashton-kutcher/the-sexiest-thing-in-the-entire-world-is-being-really-smart-and-being/) [Ashton Kutcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashton-kutcher/) > [Doing more and more with less and less is one form of being generous. In fact, the easiest way to become rich is by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kiyosaki/doing-more-and-more-with-less-and-less-is-one-form-of-being-generous/) [Robert Kiyosaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kiyosaki/) > [Who will be the happiest person? The one who brings happiness to others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-satchidananda/who-will-be-the-happiest-person-the-one-who-brings-happiness-to-others/) [Swami Satchidananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-satchidananda/) > [I've always had a knowing that being kind is a lot more effective than being angry. And being generous has always been a characteristic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/i-ve-always-had-a-knowing-that-being-kind-is-a-lot-more-effective/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [Maintaining patience, being generous, and helping your peers takes time, and no small amount of emotional fortitude. But it brings an exponential difference in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-allen/maintaining-patience-being-generous-and-helping-your-peers-takes-time/) [Kevin Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-allen/) > [Being generous without keeping score strengthens your spirit, keeps you focused on the people who make your business what it is, and helps breed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-steiner/being-generous-without-keeping-score-strengthens-your-spirit-keeps/) [Brandon Steiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-steiner/) > [A mind that's open to everything means being peaceful, radiating love, practicing forgiveness, being generous, respecting all life, and most important, visualizing yourself as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/a-mind-that-s-open-to-everything-means-being-peaceful-radiating-love/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [Being generous and kindly in speech, doing a good turn for others, and treating all alike. One like this will be praised.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gautama-buddha/being-generous-and-kindly-in-speech-doing-a-good-turn-for-others-and/) [Gautama Buddha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gautama-buddha/) > [Extend some kind of unexpected generosity to someone, preferably a stranger, every single day for two weeks. The more you practice being generous, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/extend-some-kind-of-unexpected-generosity-to-someone-preferably-a/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [There is a greatness in being generous, and there is only simple justice in satisfying creditors. Generosity is the part of the soul raised…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-goldsmith/there-is-a-greatness-in-being-generous-and-there-is-only-simple/) [Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-goldsmith/) > [Compassion has nothing to do with achievement at all. It is spacious and very generous. When a person develops real compassion, he is uncertain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/compassion-has-nothing-to-do-with-achievement-at-all-it-is-spacious/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [Only generous people could find happiness without prosperity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mielya-saladdin/only-generous-people-could-find-happiness-without-prosperity/) [Mielya Saladdin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mielya-saladdin/) > [The idea of explaining why free trade is good, why immigration is good, why the world is so connected, that we need to think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/the-idea-of-explaining-why-free-trade-is-good-why-immigration-is-good/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [I remember when being liberal meant being generous with your own money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-rogers/i-remember-when-being-liberal-meant-being-generous-with-your-own-money/) [Will Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-rogers/) > [I wonder why anyone would hesitate to be generous with their writing. I mean, if you really want to make a living, go to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/i-wonder-why-anyone-would-hesitate-to-be-generous-with-their-writing/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) [Browse all 22 Being generous quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-generous/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The poor can't wait. 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