Alms Quote by Jean Antoine Petit-Senn
“In giving alms, let us rather look at the needs of the poor than his claim to your charity.”
About This Quote
True charity prioritizes the actual needs of those in distress over the donor's desire for recognition or control.
In simple terms: Focus on the poor's needs, not donor ego.
Key Takeaway
Charity should serve the needy, not the giver.
Themes
compassion
ethics
social responsibility
humility
poverty
Mood
empathetic
reflective
serious
Type
proverb
ethical admonition
When to use this quote
- distributing food to a homeless shelter
- designing a community aid program
- volunteering at a crisis center
Key Concepts
need assessment
altruism
power dynamics
social justice
Practical Applications
- needs‑based fundraising
- policy for equitable aid
Questions to Reflect On
- How might we ensure aid addresses real needs?
- What biases affect our giving?
![“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)
