--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You have to start giving first and expect…" description: "\"You have to start giving first and expect absolutely nothing.\" — Dalai Lama" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e1/dalai-lama-89_absolutely-nothing_you-have-to-start-giving-first-and-expec_320458.jpg" --- # You have to start giving first and expect absolutely… ![“You have to start giving first and expect absolutely nothing.” quote by Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e1/dalai-lama-89_absolutely-nothing_you-have-to-start-giving-first-and-expec_320458.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e1/dalai-lama-89_absolutely-nothing_you-have-to-start-giving-first-and-expec_320458.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e1/dalai-lama-89_absolutely-nothing_you-have-to-start-giving-first-and-expec_320458.jpg) > “You have to start giving first and expect absolutely nothing.” [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Giving without expectation frees you from attachment and cultivates genuine generosity. **In simple terms:** Give freely, expect nothing. Key Takeaway Practice selfless giving. Themes generosity detachment mindfulness Mood compassionate reflective Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - volunteering - charitable donations - daily kindness - community service Key Concepts Buddhist ethics altruism Questions to Reflect On - How does expectation affect your generosity? - What limits do you place on giving? A Different Perspective May lead to self‑neglect if boundaries aren't set. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Absolutely nothing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absolutely-nothing/) [Expect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expect/) [Expect Absolutely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expect-absolutely-3021631/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Giving Expect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving-expect-3021630/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Start Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/start-giving-352994/) ## Related quotes > [Give. Keep giving. 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What is more important is to carve out your vision and assess your readiness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shiv-nadar/it-is-good-to-start-as-young-as-you-can-what-is-more-important-is-to/) [Shiv Nadar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shiv-nadar/) > [Those of us that get to a certain level, we have to start giving back to our communities, giving information it's something that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlamagne-tha-god/those-of-us-that-get-to-a-certain-level-we-have-to-start-giving-back/) [Charlamagne Tha God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlamagne-tha-god/) > [You start out giving your hat, then you give your coat, then your shirt, then your skin and finally your soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-de-gaulle/you-start-out-giving-your-hat-then-you-give-your-coat-then-your-shirt/) [Charles de Gaulle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-de-gaulle/) > [“Isn’t it time to start giving yourself the great gift of your own love?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-stabile/isn-t-it-time-to-start-giving-yourself-the-great-gift-of-your-own-love/) [Scott Stabile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-stabile/) > [Start giving and justify living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tasneem-hameed/start-giving-and-justify-living/) [Tasneem Hameed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tasneem-hameed/) > [“Where is our gift? Inside our heart What is our purpose? To open our heart and start giving our gift away”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roxana-jones/where-is-our-gift-inside-our-heart-what-is-our-purpose-to-open-our/) [Roxana Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roxana-jones/) > [“When you start giving, instead of getting, you make a difference… You can always give a warm smile, a sincere hello, a positive vibe……](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-bennett/when-you-start-giving-instead-of-getting-you-make-a-difference-you/) [Roy Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-bennett/) > [Happiness and a positive attitude are gifts you can pass along. So get out there and start giving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-austin/happiness-and-a-positive-attitude-are-gifts-you-can-pass-along-so-get/) [Denise Austin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-austin/) > [It's enough to indulge and to be selfish but true happiness is really when you start giving back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-grenier/it-s-enough-to-indulge-and-to-be-selfish-but-true-happiness-is-really/) [Adrian Grenier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-grenier/) ## More by Dalai Lama > [Although under particular circumstances, the violence method - any method - can be justified, nevertheless once you commit violence, then counterviolence will be returned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/although-under-particular-circumstances-the-violence-method-any/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [There are a number of qualities which are important for mental peace, but from the little experience I have, I believe that one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/there-are-a-number-of-qualities-which-are-important-for-mental-peace/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [In the interests of everyone the artist had a responsibility to use his medium well. In the Tibetan culture, most of the paintings are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/in-the-interests-of-everyone-the-artist-had-a-responsibility-to-use/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [If the mind is dominated by hatred, the best part of the brain, which is used to judge right and wrong, does not function…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/if-the-mind-is-dominated-by-hatred-the-best-part-of-the-brain-which/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [More compassionate mind, more sense of concern for other's well-being, is source of happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/more-compassionate-mind-more-sense-of-concern-for-other-s-well-being/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [Everybody loves to talk about calmness and peace, whether in a family, national, or international context, but without inner peace how can we make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/everybody-loves-to-talk-about-calmness-and-peace-whether-in-a-family/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [The only "definitive truth" for Buddhism is the absolute negation of any one truth as the Definitive Truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/the-only-definitive-truth-for-buddhism-is-the-absolute-negation-of/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [We can change society, change humanity by changing ourselves as individuals. 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So through that way, more concern of well being of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/we-live-within-the-environment-so-that-directly-relates-with-our/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [My belief is that the various religious traditions have great potential to increase compassion, the sense of caring for one another, and the spirit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/my-belief-is-that-the-various-religious-traditions-have-great/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [When we think carefully, we see that the brief elation we experience when appeasing sensual impulses may not be very different from what the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/when-we-think-carefully-we-see-that-the-brief-elation-we-experience/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [“So let us reflect on what is truly of value in life, what gives meaning to our lives, and set our priorities on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/so-let-us-reflect-on-what-is-truly-of-value-in-life-what-gives/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [I am the source of my own suffering, because of the habits of my mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/i-am-the-source-of-my-own-suffering-because-of-the-habits-of-my-mind/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) [Explore all 1,406 Dalai Lama quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) ## More Absolutely nothing quotes > [ By profession a biologist, \[Thomas Henry Huxley\] covered in fact the whole field of the exact sciences, and then bulged through its four fences.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/by-profession-a-biologist-thomas-henry-huxley-covered-in-fact-the/) [H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/) > [“Amateur psychiatric prognosis can be fascinating when there is absolutely nothing else to do.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-condon/amateur-psychiatric-prognosis-can-be-fascinating-when-there-is/) [Richard Condon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-condon/) > [I am unusual for a Frenchman - I have absolutely nothing against the United States.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-hazanavicius/i-am-unusual-for-a-frenchman-i-have-absolutely-nothing-against-the/) [Michel Hazanavicius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-hazanavicius/) > [I know quickly whether a guy is boyfriend material. If I can have a good time doing absolutely nothing with him, then that's boyfriend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alyson-hannigan/i-know-quickly-whether-a-guy-is-boyfriend-material-if-i-can-have-a/) [Alyson Hannigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alyson-hannigan/) > [I cannot conceive of music that expresses absolutely nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bela-bartok/i-cannot-conceive-of-music-that-expresses-absolutely-nothing/) [Bela Bartok](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bela-bartok/) > [Well, I've got nothing to hide. Absolutely nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-stewart/well-i-ve-got-nothing-to-hide-absolutely-nothing/) [Rod Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-stewart/) > [Expect the most wonderful things to happen, not in the future but right now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eileen-caddy/expect-the-most-wonderful-things-to-happen-not-in-the-future-but/) [Eileen Caddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eileen-caddy/) > [There is no reason not to love. There is no reason not to be joyous. There is no reason not to celebrate because all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/there-is-no-reason-not-to-love-there-is-no-reason-not-to-be-joyous/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Here is something no real celebrity will ever tell you: film acting is not very fun. Doing the same thing over and over again…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-wilson/here-is-something-no-real-celebrity-will-ever-tell-you-film-acting-is/) [Mara Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-wilson/) > [Listen to everyone, read everything; believe absolutely nothing unless you can prove it in your own right!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milton-william-cooper/listen-to-everyone-read-everything-believe-absolutely-nothing-unless/) [Milton William Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milton-william-cooper/) > [What a delightful thing is the conversation of specialists! One understands absolutely nothing and it's charming.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-degas/what-a-delightful-thing-is-the-conversation-of-specialists-one/) [Edgar Degas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-degas/) > [I go to practice every day. I really don't have a training camp. In the boxing world, and that's where that came from, almost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chael-sonnen/i-go-to-practice-every-day-i-really-don-t-have-a-training-camp-in-the/) [Chael Sonnen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chael-sonnen/) > [There is absolutely nothing that you desire that you cannot achieve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-hicks/there-is-absolutely-nothing-that-you-desire-that-you-cannot-achieve/) [Esther Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-hicks/) > [What did Republicans get for 16 days of a government shutdown with people being hurt? We have absolutely nothing to show for it, other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trey-gowdy/what-did-republicans-get-for-16-days-of-a-government-shutdown-with/) [Trey Gowdy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trey-gowdy/) > [Speak kind words to mankind and the unkind will attack you. 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