--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Bill Gates and Warren Buffett have their…" description: "\"Bill Gates and Warren Buffett have their 'Giving Pledge,' where billionaires promise to give away the majority of their wealth when they die. My Social..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/38f/mark-skousen-11524_alive_bill-gates-and-warren-buffett-have-their_2344473.png" --- # Bill Gates and Warren Buffett have their 'Giving Pledge,'… ![“Bill Gates and Warren Buffett have their 'Giving Pledge,' where billionaires promise to give away the majority of their wealth when they die. My Social Security Pledge is better - to give money to good causes when you are alive. Besides, more Americans can participate.” quote by Mark Skousen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/38f/mark-skousen-11524_alive_bill-gates-and-warren-buffett-have-their_2344473.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/38f/mark-skousen-11524_alive_bill-gates-and-warren-buffett-have-their_2344473.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/38f/mark-skousen-11524_alive_bill-gates-and-warren-buffett-have-their_2344473.png) > “Bill Gates and Warren Buffett have their 'Giving Pledge,' where billionaires promise to give away the majority of their wealth when they die. My Social Security Pledge is better - to give money to good causes when you are alive. Besides, more Americans can participate.” [Mark Skousen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-skousen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Encourages living philanthropy, giving to causes while alive rather than waiting until death, making charitable impact immediate and inclusive. **In simple terms:** Give to good causes now, not just after death. Key Takeaway Donate while alive for immediate impact. Themes philanthropy legacy immediacy inclusion Mood inspirational pragmatic Type motivational ethical When to use this quote - charitable giving - community projects - policy advocacy - personal budgeting Key Concepts social responsibility wealth redistribution personal values Questions to Reflect On - What motivates you to give now? - How can more people join effective giving? A Different Perspective May underestimate complexities of wealth distribution. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive/) [Billionaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/billionaire/) [Billionaires Promise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/billionaires-promise-5685005/) [Bills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bills/) [Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buffett/) [Buffett Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buffett-giving-5685006/) [Causes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/causes/) [Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gates/) [Generosity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generosity/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Giving Pledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving-pledge-1410737/) [Majority](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/majority/) [Pledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pledge/) [Pledge Better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pledge-better-2865586/) [Pledge Billionaires](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pledge-billionaires-5685004/) [Promise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/promise/) [Security](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/security/) [Social](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social/) [Social security](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social-security/) [Wealth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wealth/) ## Related quotes > [I give away about 50 percent of my income, so my, you know, desire to give back to the country is pretty strong and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rubenstein/i-give-away-about-50-percent-of-my-income-so-my-you-know-desire-to/) [David Rubenstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rubenstein/) > [At least once a year, I meet with a group called the Giving Pledge. It's a group of billionaires - including me, Warren Buffett,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-paul-dejoria/at-least-once-a-year-i-meet-with-a-group-called-the-giving-pledge-it/) [John Paul DeJoria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-paul-dejoria/) > [A few years ago I switched to an entirely different kind of New Year's resolution. Instead of vowing to improve, I pledge to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mel-white/a-few-years-ago-i-switched-to-an-entirely-different-kind-of-new-year/) [Mel White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-white/) > [I hope that by joining The Giving Pledge, it will encourage others to do the same.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-j-forstmann/i-hope-that-by-joining-the-giving-pledge-it-will-encourage-others-to/) [Theodore J. Forstmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-j-forstmann/) > [On his Giving Pledge philanthropy: The way I got the message out was to get a copy of FORBES, look down that 400 list…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/on-his-giving-pledge-philanthropy-the-way-i-got-the-message-out-was/) [Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/) > [The Giving Pledge is not meant to be prescriptive or restrictive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rohini-nilekani/the-giving-pledge-is-not-meant-to-be-prescriptive-or-restrictive/) [Rohini Nilekani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rohini-nilekani/) > [Wal-Mart, with its legendary focus on customer value in terms of price, is innovating in sustainability. Now, we're beginning to see the mirror image,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-m-strock/wal-mart-with-its-legendary-focus-on-customer-value-in-terms-of-price/) [James M Strock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-m-strock/) > [ There's a clarity that comes with great ideas: You can \[easily and simply\] explain why something's a great business, how and why it's cheap,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-greenblatt/there-s-a-clarity-that-comes-with-great-ideas-you-can-easily-and/) [Joel Greenblatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-greenblatt/) > [If there are still honest-smart men and women within those old and noble traditions, they should think carefully, observe and diagnose the illness. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brin/if-there-are-still-honest-smart-men-and-women-within-those-old-and/) [David Brin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brin/) > [Warren Buffett pays taxes on a smaller percentage of his billions in income than his cleaning lady.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-alterman/warren-buffett-pays-taxes-on-a-smaller-percentage-of-his-billions-in/) [Eric Alterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-alterman/) > [Warren Buffett once wrote that value investing is like an inoculation--it either takes or it doesn't--and when you explain to somebody what it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-klarman/warren-buffett-once-wrote-that-value-investing-is-like-an-inoculation/) [Seth Klarman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-klarman/) > [If you look at anyone who has achieved great success and wealth, people like Warren Buffett, Oprah Winfrey, or Lance Armstrong, they have all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kiyosaki/if-you-look-at-anyone-who-has-achieved-great-success-and-wealth/) [Robert Kiyosaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kiyosaki/) > [All capitalists should be like Warren Buffett, and he says he should be taxed more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-asner/all-capitalists-should-be-like-warren-buffett-and-he-says-he-should/) [Ed Asner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-asner/) > [I admire people like Warren Buffett that are donating so much money to charity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bethenny-frankel/i-admire-people-like-warren-buffett-that-are-donating-so-much-money/) [Bethenny Frankel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bethenny-frankel/) > [The great lesson in microeconomics is to discriminate between when technology is going to help you and when it's going to kill you. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/the-great-lesson-in-microeconomics-is-to-discriminate-between-when/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) ## More by Mark Skousen > [No one spends someone elses money as carefully as he spends his own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-skousen/no-one-spends-someone-elses-money-as-carefully-as-he-spends-his-own/) [Mark Skousen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-skousen/) > [The true principle of taxation is the benefit principle - those who benefit from a government service should pay for it. It's also known…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-skousen/the-true-principle-of-taxation-is-the-benefit-principle-those-who/) [Mark Skousen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-skousen/) > [In the early 1980s, I burned my Social Security card at the New Orleans Investment Conference in protest of the state pension system.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-skousen/in-the-early-1980s-i-burned-my-social-security-card-at-the-new/) [Mark Skousen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-skousen/) > [Today's political leaders demonstrate their low opinion of the public with every social law they pass. They believe that, if given the right to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-skousen/today-s-political-leaders-demonstrate-their-low-opinion-of-the-public/) [Mark Skousen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-skousen/) > [Fraud is common when you give away billions. Fraud related to Hurricane Katrina spending is estimated to top $2 billion. In addition, debit cards…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-skousen/fraud-is-common-when-you-give-away-billions-fraud-related-to/) [Mark Skousen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-skousen/) > [Banking technology has made it simple and efficient to invest in good causes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-skousen/banking-technology-has-made-it-simple-and-efficient-to-invest-in-good/) [Mark Skousen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-skousen/) > [We should not forget the principles of Christian mercy and justice: to welcome back those who are repentant and need our assistance, while encouraging…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-skousen/we-should-not-forget-the-principles-of-christian-mercy-and-justice-to/) [Mark Skousen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-skousen/) > [Contrary to what President Obama said in his inaugural address, going on Medicare and food stamps does not strengthen us. Just ask people who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-skousen/contrary-to-what-president-obama-said-in-his-inaugural-address-going/) [Mark Skousen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-skousen/) > [Taxation is the price we pay for failing to build a civilized society. The higher the tax level, the greater the failure. A centrally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-skousen/taxation-is-the-price-we-pay-for-failing-to-build-a-civilized-society/) [Mark Skousen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-skousen/) > [In short, my vision of a responsible free society is one in which we discourage evil, but do not prohibit it. We make our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-skousen/in-short-my-vision-of-a-responsible-free-society-is-one-in-which-we/) [Mark Skousen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-skousen/) > [Who uses funds more productively - private citizens or the government? I dare say that Warren Buffett can use his surplus funds more effectively…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-skousen/who-uses-funds-more-productively-private-citizens-or-the-government-i/) [Mark Skousen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-skousen/) > [The profit motive promotes economic growth by creating better products at cheaper prices.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-skousen/the-profit-motive-promotes-economic-growth-by-creating-better/) [Mark Skousen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-skousen/) > [Negative books can be bestsellers, but seldom classics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-skousen/negative-books-can-be-bestsellers-but-seldom-classics/) [Mark Skousen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-skousen/) > [Back in 1960, the paper dollar and the silver dollar both were the same value. They circulated next to each other. Today? The paper…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-skousen/back-in-1960-the-paper-dollar-and-the-silver-dollar-both-were-the/) [Mark Skousen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-skousen/) > [I've felt for some time that economics needs to be taught differently by economists who actually have had experience making a payroll or investing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-skousen/i-ve-felt-for-some-time-that-economics-needs-to-be-taught-differently/) [Mark Skousen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-skousen/) [Explore all 59 Mark Skousen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-skousen/) ## More Alive quotes > [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 feel very grateful to be alive and well enough to make music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-ant/i-feel-very-grateful-to-be-alive-and-well-enough-to-make-music/) [Adam Ant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-ant/) > [I don't crave applause. I'm not one of those guys who comes alive on stage. I'm much more alive at home, I think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bowie/i-don-t-crave-applause-i-m-not-one-of-those-guys-who-comes-alive-on/) [David Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bowie/) > [We must master our egoism, and through this mastery, step outside ourselves and educate ourselves in giving. Fasting requires that we rediscover all that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/we-must-master-our-egoism-and-through-this-mastery-step-outside/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [I can't say that there are 'things' that make me come alive. There are thoughts that make me come alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/i-can-t-say-that-there-are-things-that-make-me-come-alive-there-are/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [We're like the wicked witch. We promise gingerbread, then eat the little brats alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/we-re-like-the-wicked-witch-we-promise-gingerbread-then-eat-the/) [Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/) > [If Jovan Belcher didn't possess a gun, he and Kasandra Perkins would both be alive today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-costas/if-jovan-belcher-didn-t-possess-a-gun-he-and-kasandra-perkins-would/) [Bob Costas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-costas/) > [Peace is an ongoing process. It begins with the first step and it does not end. We, all of us alive today, are the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-krieger/peace-is-an-ongoing-process-it-begins-with-the-first-step-and-it-does/) [David Krieger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-krieger/) > [I think adoption becomes complicated whenever the biological parents are alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-haven/i-think-adoption-becomes-complicated-whenever-the-biological-parents/) [James Haven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-haven/) > [The pain of love is the pain of being alive. It is a perpetual wound.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-duffy/the-pain-of-love-is-the-pain-of-being-alive-it-is-a-perpetual-wound/) [Maureen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-duffy/) > [I have tried to resign myself, and to console myself; and that, I hope, I may have done imperfectly; but what I cannot firmly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-have-tried-to-resign-myself-and-to-console-myself-and-that-i-hope-i/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [If Melanchthon were alive today, he might not weep because of controversies that surround the Lord's Supper, but he might well sorrow because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erwin-w-lutzer/if-melanchthon-were-alive-today-he-might-not-weep-because-of/) [Erwin W. Lutzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erwin-w-lutzer/) > [If you’re alive, don’t move, if you’re dead, don’t worry about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/if-you-re-alive-don-t-move-if-you-re-dead-don-t-worry-about-it/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [Here Greek and Roman find themselves alive along these crowded shelves; and Shakespeare treads again his stage, and Chaucer paints anew his age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/here-greek-and-roman-find-themselves-alive-along-these-crowded/) [John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/) > [You're alive!" Fezzik cried. The man in black sat immobile, like a ventriloquist's dummy, just his mouth moving. "That is perhaps the most childishly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-goldman/you-re-alive-fezzik-cried-the-man-in-black-sat-immobile-like-a/) [William Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-goldman/) [Browse all 7,282 Alive quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Bill Gates and Warren Buffett have their 'Giving Pledge,' where billionaires promise to give away the majority of their wealth when they die. My Social Security Pledge is better - to give money to good causes when you are alive. 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