---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If we take, we lose. If we give, we get…"
description: "\"If we take, we lose. If we give, we get. It cannot be otherwise.\" — Louise Hay"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/49e/louise-hay-598_giving_if-we-take-we-lose-if-we-give-we-get-it_2531962.jpg"
---

#  If we take, we lose. If we give, we get. It cannot be…

![“If we take, we lose. If we give, we get. It cannot be otherwise.” quote by Louise Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/49e/louise-hay-598_giving_if-we-take-we-lose-if-we-give-we-get-it_2531962.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/49e/louise-hay-598_giving_if-we-take-we-lose-if-we-give-we-get-it_2531962.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/49e/louise-hay-598_giving_if-we-take-we-lose-if-we-give-we-get-it_2531962.jpg)

> “If we take, we lose. If we give, we get. It cannot be otherwise.”

[Louise Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-hay/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Giving creates reciprocal gain; taking leads to loss; generosity is essential.

**In simple terms:** Giving brings gain, taking leads to loss.

Key Takeaway

Practice generosity to receive abundance.

Themes

generosity reciprocity balance

Mood

uplifting thoughtful

Type

spiritual practical

When to use this quote

- charity work
- personal relationships
- community service

Key Concepts

self‑care karma psychology

Questions to Reflect On

- What can you give today?
- How does generosity affect your wellbeing?

A Different Perspective

Giving may not always be reciprocated.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/)

## Related quotes

> [When the dollar collapses, it's not doing it in a vacuum. If the dollar loses value, it's doing so relative to some other currency.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-schiff/when-the-dollar-collapses-it-s-not-doing-it-in-a-vacuum-if-the-dollar/)

[Peter Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-schiff/)

> [Mind severed from body, culture from planet- to lose our ground is to lose our home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anodea-judith/mind-severed-from-body-culture-from-planet-to-lose-our-ground-is-to/)

[Anodea Judith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anodea-judith/)

> [A lot of people hurl themselves into relationships to lose themselves, but I think the best relationships help us to be more ourselves, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-leavitt/a-lot-of-people-hurl-themselves-into-relationships-to-lose-themselves/)

[Caroline Leavitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-leavitt/)

> [When you come to America, it's a very serious thing. It's not like you arrive and they say, 'Hey, come on! Do movies!' I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-q/when-you-come-to-america-it-s-a-very-serious-thing-it-s-not-like-you/)

[Maggie Q](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-q/)

> [To lose your prejudices you must travel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlene-dietrich/to-lose-your-prejudices-you-must-travel/)

[Marlene Dietrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlene-dietrich/)

> [I watch people get older and lose their intellectual acuity; you lose that sharpness, that cleanness, that brain that you worked so hard on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryce-courtenay/i-watch-people-get-older-and-lose-their-intellectual-acuity-you-lose/)

[Bryce Courtenay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryce-courtenay/)

> [Nobody has so many friends that he can afford to lose one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-abbey/nobody-has-so-many-friends-that-he-can-afford-to-lose-one/)

[Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/)

> [Paines to get, care to keep, feare to lose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/paines-to-get-care-to-keep-feare-to-lose/)

[George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/)

> [To those African-Americans suffering in our country, I say, what do you have to lose? Vote for Trump, I'm going to fix it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/to-those-african-americans-suffering-in-our-country-i-say-what-do-you/)

[Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/)

> [The last game on earth is in progress. And when you lose, you win. And when you win, you can't lose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/the-last-game-on-earth-is-in-progress-and-when-you-lose-you-win-and/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [It wasn't like, 'I'ma lose weight and start doing dramas.' I wanted to be healthier, and that was the impetus for wanting to lose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-hill/it-wasn-t-like-i-ma-lose-weight-and-start-doing-dramas-i-wanted-to-be/)

[Jonah Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-hill/)

> [You can't lose with the Stuff I use!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reverend-ike/you-can-t-lose-with-the-stuff-i-use/)

[Reverend Ike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reverend-ike/)

> [When you have spent too much time with something, you may lose sight of what's marvelous about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-plotz/when-you-have-spent-too-much-time-with-something-you-may-lose-sight/)

[David Plotz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-plotz/)

> [To accomplish much you must first lose everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/che-guevara/to-accomplish-much-you-must-first-lose-everything/)

[Che Guevara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/che-guevara/)

> [I'm gonna have to be killed before I lose, and I ain't going to die easy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/i-m-gonna-have-to-be-killed-before-i-lose-and-i-ain-t-going-to-die/)

[Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/)

## More by Louise Hay

> [If I want to be loved as I am, I have to be willing to love others as they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-hay/if-i-want-to-be-loved-as-i-am-i-have-to-be-willing-to-love-others-as/)

[Louise Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-hay/)

> [Meditation is really just quieting yourself enough so you can get in touch with your own inner wisdom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-hay/meditation-is-really-just-quieting-yourself-enough-so-you-can-get-in/)

[Louise Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-hay/)

> [Look in the mirror and tell yourself how wonderful you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-hay/look-in-the-mirror-and-tell-yourself-how-wonderful-you-are/)

[Louise Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-hay/)

> [I release all criticism. I only give out that which I wish to receive in return. My love and acceptance of others is mirrored…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-hay/i-release-all-criticism-i-only-give-out-that-which-i-wish-to-receive/)

[Louise Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-hay/)

> [Love is acceptance - accepting people as they are. Just acceptance and caring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-hay/love-is-acceptance-accepting-people-as-they-are-just-acceptance-and/)

[Louise Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-hay/)

> [People have one of two extreme reactions to my book. They either throw it across the room, or they rush out and buy 10…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-hay/people-have-one-of-two-extreme-reactions-to-my-book-they-either-throw/)

[Louise Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-hay/)

> [Love who and what you are and what you do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-hay/love-who-and-what-you-are-and-what-you-do/)

[Louise Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-hay/)

> [I am a beautiful flower that is blossoming more and more each day. I delight in my world, and my world delights in me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-hay/i-am-a-beautiful-flower-that-is-blossoming-more-and-more-each-day-i/)

[Louise Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-hay/)

> [I have a thorough understanding of nutrition, and I feed my body only foods that support health.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-hay/i-have-a-thorough-understanding-of-nutrition-and-i-feed-my-body-only/)

[Louise Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-hay/)

> [Each day is a start of a new adventure, and I eagerly look forward to today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-hay/each-day-is-a-start-of-a-new-adventure-and-i-eagerly-look-forward-to/)

[Louise Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-hay/)

> [The door to my heart opens inward. I move through forgiveness to love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-hay/the-door-to-my-heart-opens-inward-i-move-through-forgiveness-to-love/)

[Louise Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-hay/)

> [I now stop feeling guilty. I let myself out of that prison.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-hay/i-now-stop-feeling-guilty-i-let-myself-out-of-that-prison/)

[Louise Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-hay/)

> [If you eat one less candy bar or donut a day, you're doing your body some good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-hay/if-you-eat-one-less-candy-bar-or-donut-a-day-you-re-doing-your-body/)

[Louise Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-hay/)

> [Today is a new day. Today is a day for you to begin creating a joyous, fulfilling life. Today is the day to begin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-hay/today-is-a-new-day-today-is-a-day-for-you-to-begin-creating-a-joyous/)

[Louise Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-hay/)

> [I am willing to learn how to take good care of my body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-hay/i-am-willing-to-learn-how-to-take-good-care-of-my-body/)

[Louise Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-hay/)

[Explore all 452 Louise Hay quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-hay/)

## More Giving quotes

> [Only within yourself exists the other reality for which you long. I can give you nothing that has not already its being within yourself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/only-within-yourself-exists-the-other-reality-for-which-you-long-i/)

[Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/)

> [The only people who think the Internet is a calamity are people whose lives have been hurt by it; the only people who insist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-klosterman/the-only-people-who-think-the-internet-is-a-calamity-are-people-whose/)

[Chuck Klosterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-klosterman/)

> [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/)

[Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/)

> [Crony capitalism is essentially a condition in which... public officials are giving favours to people in the private sector in payment of political favours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-greenspan/crony-capitalism-is-essentially-a-condition-in-which-public-officials/)

[Alan Greenspan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-greenspan/)

> [Some people give you that motivation to work harder simply to get the hell away from wherever they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dane-cook/some-people-give-you-that-motivation-to-work-harder-simply-to-get-the/)

[Dane Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dane-cook/)

> [You've touched people and known it. You've touched people and never may know it. Either way, you have something to give. It is in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/you-ve-touched-people-and-known-it-you-ve-touched-people-and-never/)

[Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/)

> [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/)

[Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/)

> [I received a beautiful welcome to the world of music. I want to give something back to the younger generation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luciano-pavarotti/i-received-a-beautiful-welcome-to-the-world-of-music-i-want-to-give/)

[Luciano Pavarotti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luciano-pavarotti/)

> [Eternal Trinity... mystery deep as the sea, You could give me no greater gift than the gift of Yourself. For You are a fire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-catherine-of-siena/eternal-trinity-mystery-deep-as-the-sea-you-could-give-me-no-greater/)

[St. Catherine of Siena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-catherine-of-siena/)

> [Faith gives you a certain structure and meaning to your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riffat-hassan/faith-gives-you-a-certain-structure-and-meaning-to-your-life/)

Riffat Hassan

> [Grandma, please. It’s okay. Dad’s doing a great job. I give him kudos for at least being calm and rational, and not losing his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/grandma-please-it-s-okay-dad-s-doing-a-great-job-i-give-him-kudos-for/)

[Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/)

> [Most paper money initially existed as a substitute for gold. That's what gave it value. But right now what gives a currency value is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-schiff/most-paper-money-initially-existed-as-a-substitute-for-gold-that-s/)

[Peter Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-schiff/)

> [Practically all animals which move fast in a homogeneous medium have found means of giving their body a streamlined shape, thereby reducing friction to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/konrad-lorenz/practically-all-animals-which-move-fast-in-a-homogeneous-medium-have/)

[Konrad Lorenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/konrad-lorenz/)

> [Give me strength to walk the soft earth, a relative to all that is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/black-elk/give-me-strength-to-walk-the-soft-earth-a-relative-to-all-that-is/)

[Black Elk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/black-elk/)

> [I don't think my relationship with the idea of womanhood is that attached to giving birth... like, I'm fully aware that I'll never give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-harrison/i-don-t-think-my-relationship-with-the-idea-of-womanhood-is-that/)

[Patti Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-harrison/)

[Browse all 39,303 Giving quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "If we take, we lose. If we give, we get. It cannot be otherwise.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Louise Hay"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-hay/if-we-take-we-lose-if-we-give-we-get-it-cannot-be-otherwise/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Giving"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-hay/if-we-take-we-lose-if-we-give-we-get-it-cannot-be-otherwise/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/49e/louise-hay-598_giving_if-we-take-we-lose-if-we-give-we-get-it_2531962.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/49e/louise-hay-598_giving_if-we-take-we-lose-if-we-give-we-get-it_2531962.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/49e/louise-hay-598_giving_if-we-take-we-lose-if-we-give-we-get-it_2531962.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“If we take, we lose. If we give, we get. It cannot be otherwise.” — Louise Hay",
                "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": "Louise Hay",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-hay/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "If we take, we lose. If...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-hay/if-we-take-we-lose-if-we-give-we-get-it-cannot-be-otherwise/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-hay/if-we-take-we-lose-if-we-give-we-get-it-cannot-be-otherwise/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
