--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We do not quite forgive a giver. The hand…" description: "\"We do not quite forgive a giver. The hand that feeds us is in some danger of being bitten.\" — Ralph Waldo Emerson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aff/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_bitten_we-do-not-quite-forgive-a-giver-the-hand_2354395.png" --- # We do not quite forgive a giver. The hand that feeds us is… ![“We do not quite forgive a giver. The hand that feeds us is in some danger of being bitten.” quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aff/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_bitten_we-do-not-quite-forgive-a-giver-the-hand_2354395.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aff/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_bitten_we-do-not-quite-forgive-a-giver-the-hand_2354395.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aff/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_bitten_we-do-not-quite-forgive-a-giver-the-hand_2354395.png) > “We do not quite forgive a giver. The hand that feeds us is in some danger of being bitten.” [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Gratitude can become resentment when the giver holds power over the receiver. **In simple terms:** Beware of dependent gratitude. Key Takeaway Cultivate independence alongside appreciation. Themes dependency power gratitude Mood thoughtful cautionary Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - personal relationships - workplace dynamics - charitable giving Key Concepts ethical philosophy social psychology Questions to Reflect On - When does gratitude become obligation? - How can you give without creating dependence? A Different Perspective Over‑independence may reject needed help. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Danger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/danger/) [Forgiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness/) [Forgiving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiving/) [Opinion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opinion/) ## Related quotes > [We do not quite forgive a giver. The hand that feeds us is in some danger of being bitten. We can receive anything from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/we-do-not-quite-forgive-a-giver-the-hand-that-feeds-us-is-in-some/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [It is not the office of a man to receive gifts ... We wish to be self-sustained. We do not quite forgive a giver.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/it-is-not-the-office-of-a-man-to-receive-gifts-we-wish-to-be-self/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [Sisters never quite forgive each other for what happened when they were five.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pam-brown/sisters-never-quite-forgive-each-other-for-what-happened-when-they/) [Pam Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pam-brown/) > [“Forgive me, giver, if I destroy the gift: it is so nearly what would please me I cannot but perfect it”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-riding/forgive-me-giver-if-i-destroy-the-gift-it-is-so-nearly-what-would/) [Laura Riding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-riding/) > [The gift, to be true, must be the flowing of the giver unto me, correspondent to my flowing unto him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-gift-to-be-true-must-be-the-flowing-of-the-giver-unto-me/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Poets should be law-givers; that is, the boldest lyric inspiration should not chide and insult, but should announce and lead the civil code, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/poets-should-be-law-givers-that-is-the-boldest-lyric-inspiration/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The Sun is the sole inconsumable fireAnd God is the sole inexhaustible Giver.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-sun-is-the-sole-inconsumable-fireand-god-is-the-sole/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [I hope you told him you were bitten by a gay spider.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-hope-you-told-him-you-were-bitten-by-a-gay-spider/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“If you think living with Ivy and trying to avoid getting bitten was difficult, wait until you try living with her while trying to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-harrison/if-you-think-living-with-ivy-and-trying-to-avoid-getting-bitten-was/) [Kim Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-harrison/) > [He was the only boy I'd found worth dating in God knows how many schools. I mean, ever since he'd been bitten by a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lilith-saintcrow/he-was-the-only-boy-i-d-found-worth-dating-in-god-knows-how-many/) [Lilith Saintcrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lilith-saintcrow/) > [“Thousands of mosquitoes had already bitten all of us on chest and arms and ankles. Then a bright idea came to me: I jumped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kerouac/thousands-of-mosquitoes-had-already-bitten-all-of-us-on-chest-and/) [Jack Kerouac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kerouac/) > [“The taste of blood and that annoying sting of a bitten tongue. Once man got the taste of blood there was no going back,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-garic-notch/the-taste-of-blood-and-that-annoying-sting-of-a-bitten-tongue-once/) [Brandon Garic Notch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-garic-notch/) > ['Lost Boys' is one of my all-time faves. I just thought it would be great to be a vampire. I remember this movie called…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-headey/lost-boys-is-one-of-my-all-time-faves-i-just-thought-it-would-be/) [Lena Headey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-headey/) > [I didnt write Snow White for any class, but I got bitten by the screenwriting bug and wrote a couple of scripts in my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-daugherty/i-didnt-write-snow-white-for-any-class-but-i-got-bitten-by-the/) [Evan Daugherty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-daugherty/) > [“Women want to be bitten and swept away by a sparkling, 100-year-old, handsome vampire.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chrissy-peebles/women-want-to-be-bitten-and-swept-away-by-a-sparkling-100-year-old/) [Chrissy Peebles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chrissy-peebles/) ## More by Ralph Waldo Emerson > [The history of mankind interests us only as it exhibits a steady gain of truth and right, in the incessant conflict which it records…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-history-of-mankind-interests-us-only-as-it-exhibits-a-steady-gain/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [If we will not interfere with our thought, but will act entirely, or see how the thing stands in God, we know the particular…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-we-will-not-interfere-with-our-thought-but-will-act-entirely-or/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [If there is any period one would desire to be born in, is it not the age of Revolution; when the old and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-there-is-any-period-one-would-desire-to-be-born-in-is-it-not-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [A man cannot speak but he judges himself. With his will or against his will he draws his portrait to the eye of his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/a-man-cannot-speak-but-he-judges-himself-with-his-will-or-against-his/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Consideration is the soil in which wisdom may be expected to grow, and strength be given to every up-springing plant of duty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/consideration-is-the-soil-in-which-wisdom-may-be-expected-to-grow-and/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“There is then creative reading as well as creative writing. When the mind is braced by labor and invention, the page of whatever book…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/there-is-then-creative-reading-as-well-as-creative-writing-when-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The order of things consents to virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-order-of-things-consents-to-virtue/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Life only avails, not the having lived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/life-only-avails-not-the-having-lived/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Another success is the post-office, with its educating energy augmented by cheapness and guarded by a certain religious sentimentin mankind; so that the power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/another-success-is-the-post-office-with-its-educating-energy/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [A child reminds us that playtime is an essential part of our daily routine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/a-child-reminds-us-that-playtime-is-an-essential-part-of-our-daily/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [No man can be criticised but by a greater than he. Do not, then, read the reviews.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/no-man-can-be-criticised-but-by-a-greater-than-he-do-not-then-read/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Coal lay in ledges under the ground since the Flood, until a laborer with pick and windlass brings it to the surface. We may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/coal-lay-in-ledges-under-the-ground-since-the-flood-until-a-laborer/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [I am; therefore, I had nothing better to do than to think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/i-am-therefore-i-had-nothing-better-to-do-than-to-think/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [In a library we are surrounded by many hundreds of dear friends, but they are imprisoned by an enchanter in these paper and leathern…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/in-a-library-we-are-surrounded-by-many-hundreds-of-dear-friends-but/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The compensations of calamity are made apparent to the understanding also, after long intervals of time. A fever, a mutilation, a cruel disappointment, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-compensations-of-calamity-are-made-apparent-to-the-understanding/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) [Explore all 4,802 Ralph Waldo Emerson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) ## More Bitten quotes > [“Women want to be bitten and swept away by a sparkling, 100-year-old, handsome vampire.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chrissy-peebles/women-want-to-be-bitten-and-swept-away-by-a-sparkling-100-year-old/) [Chrissy Peebles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chrissy-peebles/) > [I didnt write Snow White for any class, but I got bitten by the screenwriting bug and wrote a couple of scripts in my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-daugherty/i-didnt-write-snow-white-for-any-class-but-i-got-bitten-by-the/) [Evan Daugherty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-daugherty/) > ['Lost Boys' is one of my all-time faves. I just thought it would be great to be a vampire. I remember this movie called…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-headey/lost-boys-is-one-of-my-all-time-faves-i-just-thought-it-would-be/) [Lena Headey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-headey/) > [“The taste of blood and that annoying sting of a bitten tongue. Once man got the taste of blood there was no going back,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-garic-notch/the-taste-of-blood-and-that-annoying-sting-of-a-bitten-tongue-once/) [Brandon Garic Notch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-garic-notch/) > [“Thousands of mosquitoes had already bitten all of us on chest and arms and ankles. Then a bright idea came to me: I jumped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kerouac/thousands-of-mosquitoes-had-already-bitten-all-of-us-on-chest-and/) [Jack Kerouac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kerouac/) > [He was the only boy I'd found worth dating in God knows how many schools. I mean, ever since he'd been bitten by a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lilith-saintcrow/he-was-the-only-boy-i-d-found-worth-dating-in-god-knows-how-many/) [Lilith Saintcrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lilith-saintcrow/) > [“If you think living with Ivy and trying to avoid getting bitten was difficult, wait until you try living with her while trying to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-harrison/if-you-think-living-with-ivy-and-trying-to-avoid-getting-bitten-was/) [Kim Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-harrison/) > [I hope you told him you were bitten by a gay spider.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-hope-you-told-him-you-were-bitten-by-a-gay-spider/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [After you were bitten, i knew what would happen. I waited for you to change, every night, so i could bring you back and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/after-you-were-bitten-i-knew-what-would-happen-i-waited-for-you-to/) [Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/) > [“If bitten by a dog so many times, any time shy!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-santo/if-bitten-by-a-dog-so-many-times-any-time-shy/) [DON SANTO](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-santo/) > [Since I was 5, I was bitten by the bug of designing. It was all around me in my home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sussanne-khan/since-i-was-5-i-was-bitten-by-the-bug-of-designing-it-was-all-around/) [Sussanne Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sussanne-khan/) > [“One part of my brain, soaring on adrenaline, insisted I could take Cain, whatever the size difference. Another part wondered where the hell Nick…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/one-part-of-my-brain-soaring-on-adrenaline-insisted-i-could-take-cain/) [Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/) > [One time we were playing at O2 Arena and I was bitten by a fucking zombie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-hetfield/one-time-we-were-playing-at-o2-arena-and-i-was-bitten-by-a-fucking/) [James Hetfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-hetfield/) > [I'd like to make it very clear that getting bitten by a venomous snake is dumb, clumsy and nothing to be proud of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/romulus-whitaker/i-d-like-to-make-it-very-clear-that-getting-bitten-by-a-venomous/) Romulus Whitaker > [I like zombie movies. I like 'The Walking Dead;' I like the metaphor of it, simply because when we go with the zombie concept…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-manson/i-like-zombie-movies-i-like-the-walking-dead-i-like-the-metaphor-of/) [Marilyn Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-manson/) Browse all 140 Bitten quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We do not quite forgive a giver. 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