--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Giving is good, but taking is bad and…" description: "\"Giving is good, but taking is bad and brings death.\" — Hesiod" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/098/hesiod-2889_death_giving-is-good-but-taking-is-bad-and-bri_2927730.jpg" --- # Giving is good, but taking is bad and brings death. ![“Giving is good, but taking is bad and brings death.” quote by Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/098/hesiod-2889_death_giving-is-good-but-taking-is-bad-and-bri_2927730.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/098/hesiod-2889_death_giving-is-good-but-taking-is-bad-and-bri_2927730.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/098/hesiod-2889_death_giving-is-good-but-taking-is-bad-and-bri_2927730.jpg) > “Giving is good, but taking is bad and brings death.” [Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Generosity sustains life; greed leads to ruin. **In simple terms:** Giving helps, taking harms. Key Takeaway Practice generosity, avoid greed. Themes ethics balance consequence Mood reflective serious Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - charitable acts - resource sharing - community support Key Concepts morality social harmony Questions to Reflect On - When does helping become harmful? - How can societies curb greed? A Different Perspective Complex situations may blur giving vs. taking. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Brings Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brings-death-4299946/) [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Giving Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving-good-1768283/) [Taking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taking/) [Taking Bad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taking-bad-483902/) ## Related quotes > [Your face brings me death every day and every day I can't wait to die .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohamed-navaal/your-face-brings-me-death-every-day-and-every-day-i-can-t-wait-to-die/) [Mohamed Navaal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohamed-navaal/) > [God often takes a course for accomplishing His purposes directly contrary to what our narrow views would prescribe. He brings a death upon our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-newton/god-often-takes-a-course-for-accomplishing-his-purposes-directly/) [John Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-newton/) > [There's a fine line between playing with fear and then taking bad plays and playing with no fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-griffin-iii/there-s-a-fine-line-between-playing-with-fear-and-then-taking-bad/) [Robert Griffin III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-griffin-iii/) > [I was taking the bad boy off the market for good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abbi-glines/i-was-taking-the-bad-boy-off-the-market-for-good/) [Abbi Glines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abbi-glines/) > [He (Leo Durocher) had the ability of taking a bad situation and making it immediately worse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/branch-rickey/he-leo-durocher-had-the-ability-of-taking-a-bad-situation-and-making/) [Branch Rickey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/branch-rickey/) > [I'm not against taking shots, but I am against taking bad shots.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-iba/i-m-not-against-taking-shots-but-i-am-against-taking-bad-shots/) [Henry Iba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-iba/) > [I got to stop taking these very bad shots.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luka-doncic/i-got-to-stop-taking-these-very-bad-shots/) [Luka Doncic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luka-doncic/) > [Start taking bad decisions and it will take you to a place where others only dream of being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-arden/start-taking-bad-decisions-and-it-will-take-you-to-a-place-where/) [Paul Arden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-arden/) > [Take pictures all the time. 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The more he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/great-master-lao-tzu-says-that-the-master-has-no-possessions-the-more/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [Sacrifice really means giving up something good for something better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/sacrifice-really-means-giving-up-something-good-for-something-better/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) ## More by Hesiod > [Gain not base gains; base gains are the same as losses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/gain-not-base-gains-base-gains-are-the-same-as-losses/) [Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/) > [Aegis-bearing Zeus has a design for each occasion, and mortals find this hard to comprehend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/aegis-bearing-zeus-has-a-design-for-each-occasion-and-mortals-find/) [Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/) > [The best is he who calls men to the best. And those who heed the call are also blessed. But worthless who call not,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/the-best-is-he-who-calls-men-to-the-best-and-those-who-heed-the-call/) [Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/) > [If you speak evil, you will soon be worse spoken of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/if-you-speak-evil-you-will-soon-be-worse-spoken-of/) [Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/) > [Inhibition is no good provider for a needy man, Inhibition, which does men great harm and great good. Inhibition attaches to poverty, boldness to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/inhibition-is-no-good-provider-for-a-needy-man-inhibition-which-does/) [Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/) > [Potter is jealous of potter, and craftsman of craftsman; and the poor have a grudge against the poor, and the poet against the poet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/potter-is-jealous-of-potter-and-craftsman-of-craftsman-and-the-poor/) [Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/) > [Preserve the mean; the opportune moment is best in all things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/preserve-the-mean-the-opportune-moment-is-best-in-all-things/) [Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/) > [The potter is at enmity with the potter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/the-potter-is-at-enmity-with-the-potter/) [Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/) > [But he who neither thinks for himself nor learns from others, is a failure as a man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/but-he-who-neither-thinks-for-himself-nor-learns-from-others-is-a/) [Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/) > [Justice prevails over transgression when she comes to the end of the race.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/justice-prevails-over-transgression-when-she-comes-to-the-end-of-the/) [Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/) > [“It is best to work, at whatever you have a talent for doing, without turning your greedy thought toward what some other man possesses,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/it-is-best-to-work-at-whatever-you-have-a-talent-for-doing-without/) [Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/) > [I see no hope for the future of our people if they are dependent on the frivolous youth of today, for certainly all youth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/i-see-no-hope-for-the-future-of-our-people-if-they-are-dependent-on/) [Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/) > [Do not let a flattering woman coax and wheedle you and deceive you; she is after your barn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/do-not-let-a-flattering-woman-coax-and-wheedle-you-and-deceive-you/) [Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/) > [In the race for wealth, a neighbor tries to outdo his neighbor, but this strife is good for men. For the potter envies potter,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/in-the-race-for-wealth-a-neighbor-tries-to-outdo-his-neighbor-but/) [Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/) > [The Gods rank work above virtues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/the-gods-rank-work-above-virtues/) [Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/) [Explore all 146 Hesiod quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/) ## More Death quotes > [“He wondered how it was fair that your dying should depend so much on when you were born.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/he-wondered-how-it-was-fair-that-your-dying-should-depend-so-much-on/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [What sets worlds in motion is the interplay of differences, their attractions and repulsions. Life is plurality, death is uniformity. 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Then his eyes turned to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-anthony-torino/what-did-you-see-she-asked-gently-his-brow-furrowed-as-if-he-could/) [J. Anthony Torino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-anthony-torino/) > [Those whose life is long still strive for gain, and for all mortals all things take second place to money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/those-whose-life-is-long-still-strive-for-gain-and-for-all-mortals/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [“I practice Dying--every night-- But have not learned to, still-- Though Talented--by Mortal bones-- For such a common Skill.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-w-powers/i-practice-dying-every-night-but-have-not-learned-to-still-though/) [Alan W. Powers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-w-powers/) > [“You must understand the pain and grief of losing someone is nothing more than a function of survival.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-cooper/you-must-understand-the-pain-and-grief-of-losing-someone-is-nothing/) [Steven Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-cooper/) > [I am not a depressive person at all, but I reflect a lot on my life, and life in general, from the perspective of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/i-am-not-a-depressive-person-at-all-but-i-reflect-a-lot-on-my-life/) [Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/) > [“Death is a reality that calls the rest of life and all of our assorted strivings into sharp relief.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/death-is-a-reality-that-calls-the-rest-of-life-and-all-of-our/) [Craig D. 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You can’t let anything that seems even semi-important pass, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-crutcher/i-think-when-you-re-dying-you-start-looking-for-important-things-in/) [Chris Crutcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-crutcher/) [Browse all 39,127 Death quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Giving is good, but taking is bad and brings death.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Hesiod" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/giving-is-good-but-taking-is-bad-and-brings-death/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Death" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/giving-is-good-but-taking-is-bad-and-brings-death/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/098/hesiod-2889_death_giving-is-good-but-taking-is-bad-and-bri_2927730.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/098/hesiod-2889_death_giving-is-good-but-taking-is-bad-and-bri_2927730.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/098/hesiod-2889_death_giving-is-good-but-taking-is-bad-and-bri_2927730.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Giving is good, but taking is bad and brings death.” — Hesiod", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Hesiod", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Giving is good, but taking is...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/giving-is-good-but-taking-is-bad-and-brings-death/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/giving-is-good-but-taking-is-bad-and-brings-death/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```