Charity Quote by Mary Wollstonecraft
““...a being, with a capacity of reasoning, would not have failed to discover, as his faculties unfolded, that true happiness arose from the friendship and intimacy which can only be enjoyed by equals; and that charity is not a condescending distribution of alms, but an intercourse of good offices and mutual benefits, founded on respect for justice and humanity.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Thoughts on the Equality of the Sexes, Mary Wollstonecraft, 1792
True happiness stems from equal, respectful relationships, where charity is mutual benefit rather than patronage, grounded in justice and humanity.
In simple terms: Equality and respect create genuine happiness and mutual aid.
Key Takeaway
Foster relationships based on equality and shared respect.
Themes
equality
justice
friendship
mutual aid
humanity
Mood
inspirational
reflective
ethical
Type
philosophical
social critique
When to use this quote
- friendship building
- community projects
- advocacy
- conflict resolution
- teamwork
Key Concepts
philosophy
ethics
social contract
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you practice mutual charity in daily life?
- What barriers exist to treating others as equals?
A Different Perspective
Ideal equality may be hard to achieve in hierarchical societies.
![“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)
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![“I wish to show that elegance is inferior to virtue, that the first object of laudable ambition is to obtain a character as a human being, regardless of the distinction of sex [...]” quote by Mary Wollstonecraft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/445/mary-wollstonecraft-1568_ambition_i-wish-to-show-that-elegance-is-inferior_130145.jpg)
