Alms Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Give no bounties: make equal laws: secure life and prosperity and you need not give alms.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Self-Reliance, 1841
Advocates for equal laws and self‑sufficiency over charity, emphasizing security through fairness.
In simple terms: Fair laws replace the need for alms.
Key Takeaway
Promote justice, not reliance on charity.
Themes
e
fairness
self‑reliance
Mood
thoughtful
balanced
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- public policy
- community building
- legal reform
Key Concepts
social contract
ethical governance
Questions to Reflect On
- How can laws ensure both security and compassion?
- What are the limits of law in addressing poverty?
A Different Perspective
May overlook the role of voluntary generosity in social cohesion.
![“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)