Alms Quote by George Ade
“Do not give alms promiscuously. Select the unworthy poor and make them happy. To give to the deserving is a duty, but to help the improvident, drinking class is clear generosity, so that the donor has a right to be warmed by a selfish pride and count on a most flattering obituary.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Unworthy Poor, 1910
He critiques indiscriminate almsgiving, suggesting generosity should be directed to those truly in need, not to enable vice.
In simple terms: Give wisely, not to the undeserving.
Key Takeaway
Practice discerning charity.
Themes
charity
ethics
social responsibility
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
instructive
When to use this quote
- church donations
- community aid programs
- personal budgeting
- volunteer work
Key Concepts
Moral discernment
poverty
generosity
Questions to Reflect On
- Who qualifies as deserving aid?
- How can you balance compassion with prudence?
A Different Perspective
Over‑selectivity may neglect the truly needy.
![“Give a drink of water as alms to the birds which go forth at morning, and deem that they have a better right than men [to thy charity]. For their race brings not harm upon thee in any wise, when thou fearest it from thine own race.” quote by Al-Maʿarri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/915/al-ma-arri-47224_alms_give-a-drink-of-water-as-alms-to-the-bir_171746.jpg)
