--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Give, if thou can, an alms; if not, a…" description: "\"Give, if thou can, an alms; if not, a sweet and gentle word.\" — Robert Herrick" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/56d/robert-herrick-3088_alms_give-if-thou-can-an-alms-if-not-a-sweet_2222648.png" --- # Give, if thou can, an alms; if not, a sweet and gentle word. ![“Give, if thou can, an alms; if not, a sweet and gentle word.” quote by Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/56d/robert-herrick-3088_alms_give-if-thou-can-an-alms-if-not-a-sweet_2222648.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/56d/robert-herrick-3088_alms_give-if-thou-can-an-alms-if-not-a-sweet_2222648.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/56d/robert-herrick-3088_alms_give-if-thou-can-an-alms-if-not-a-sweet_2222648.png) > “Give, if thou can, an alms; if not, a sweet and gentle word.” [Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Charity can be expressed through deeds or kind words when material help isn’t possible. **In simple terms:** Give help or kind words when you can’t give money. Key Takeaway Offer assistance in any form you can. Themes charity compassion communication humility Mood reflective empathetic Type poetic moral When to use this quote - poverty relief - daily interactions - community service Key Concepts almsgiving gentle speech social responsibility Questions to Reflect On - When is a kind word enough? - How can we balance giving money and emotional support? A Different Perspective Kind words may not meet material needs. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alms/) [Gentle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gentle/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) ## Related quotes > [Put all our pride away, always find a gentle word to say, you know we shouldn't be full of ourselves when we should be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dawud-wharnsby-ali/put-all-our-pride-away-always-find-a-gentle-word-to-say-you-know-we/) [Dawud Wharnsby Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dawud-wharnsby-ali/) > [You can take this as a gentle word of warning, if you like. We are just at the beginning of a period of more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neelie-kroes/you-can-take-this-as-a-gentle-word-of-warning-if-you-like-we-are-just/) [Neelie Kroes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neelie-kroes/) > [The true problem of living is to keep our hearts sweet and gentle in the hardest conditions and experiences.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-vaughan/the-true-problem-of-living-is-to-keep-our-hearts-sweet-and-gentle-in/) [Bill Vaughan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-vaughan/) > [“Why groups never follow the sweet, gentle child is obvious, but I wish it would happen just once.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-toltz/why-groups-never-follow-the-sweet-gentle-child-is-obvious-but-i-wish/) [Steve Toltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-toltz/) > [“And I begin to cry. Though cry seems far too gentle a word. I begin to abso-bloody-lutely sob. Felicity is kind enough to look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mackenzi-lee/and-i-begin-to-cry-though-cry-seems-far-too-gentle-a-word-i-begin-to/) [Mackenzi Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mackenzi-lee/) > [A gentle word, a kind look, a good-natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/a-gentle-word-a-kind-look-a-good-natured-smile-can-work-wonders-and/) [William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/) > [“Every gentle word, every generous thought, every unselfish deed, will become a pillar of eternal beauty in the life to come.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-ruter-springer/every-gentle-word-every-generous-thought-every-unselfish-deed-will/) [Rebecca Ruter Springer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-ruter-springer/) > [“Gentle Is The First Word In Gentleman.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-enduring/gentle-is-the-first-word-in-gentleman/) The Enduring > [“God is there in the kindness of a stranger. In the beauty of the sunset. In the gentle word and the hug just when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/god-is-there-in-the-kindness-of-a-stranger-in-the-beauty-of-the/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [May I live this day... Compassionate of heart, / Gentle in word, / Gracious in awareness / Courageous in thought, / Generous in love / Eternal Echoes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-o-donohue/may-i-live-this-day-compassionate-of-heart-gentle-in-word-gracious-in/) [John O'Donohue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-o-donohue/) > [Work is love made visible. And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/work-is-love-made-visible-and-if-you-cannot-work-with-love-but-only/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Those good men who take such pleasure in relieving the miserable for Christ's sake, would not have been less forward to minister onto Christ…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-atterbury/those-good-men-who-take-such-pleasure-in-relieving-the-miserable-for/) [Francis Atterbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-atterbury/) > [If you are to go to Christ, do not put on your good doings and feelings, or you will get nothing. Go in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/if-you-are-to-go-to-christ-do-not-put-on-your-good-doings-and/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [Alms (is) for the purity of your soul, and flourishment and expansion of your sustenence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fatima-bint-muhammad/alms-is-for-the-purity-of-your-soul-and-flourishment-and-expansion-of/) [Fatima bint Muhammad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fatima-bint-muhammad/) > [In giving alms, let us rather look at the needs of the poor than his claim to your charity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-antoine-petit-senn/in-giving-alms-let-us-rather-look-at-the-needs-of-the-poor-than-his/) [Jean Antoine Petit-Senn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-antoine-petit-senn/) ## More by Robert Herrick > [Love is maintain'd by wealth: when all is spent, Adversity then breeds the discontent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/love-is-maintain-d-by-wealth-when-all-is-spent-adversity-then-breeds/) [Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/) > [It takes great wit and interest and energy to be happy. The pursuit of happiness is a great activity. One must be open and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/it-takes-great-wit-and-interest-and-energy-to-be-happy-the-pursuit-of/) [Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/) > [Whatever comes, let's be content withal; Among God's blessings there is not one small.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/whatever-comes-let-s-be-content-withal-among-god-s-blessings-there-is/) [Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/) > [When a daffadill I see, Hanging down his head towards me, Guess I may, what I must be: First, I shall decline my head;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/when-a-daffadill-i-see-hanging-down-his-head-towards-me-guess-i-may/) [Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/) > [In ways to greatness think on this, That slippery all ambition is](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/in-ways-to-greatness-think-on-this-that-slippery-all-ambition-is/) [Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/) > [“Have ye beheld (with much delight) A red rose peeping through a white? Or else a cherry (double graced) Within a lily? Centre placed?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/have-ye-beheld-with-much-delight-a-red-rose-peeping-through-a-white/) [Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/) > [Necessity makes dastards valiant men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/necessity-makes-dastards-valiant-men/) [Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/) > [Buying, possessing, accumulating--this is not worldliness. But doing this in the love of it, with no love of God paramount--doing it so that thoughts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/buying-possessing-accumulating-this-is-not-worldliness-but-doing-this/) [Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/) > [Tears are the noble language of eyes, and when true love of words is destitute. The eye by tears speak, while the tongue is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/tears-are-the-noble-language-of-eyes-and-when-true-love-of-words-is/) [Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/) > [Bid me to live, and I will live Thy Protestant to be: Or bid me love, and I will give A loving heart to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/bid-me-to-live-and-i-will-live-thy-protestant-to-be-or-bid-me-love/) [Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/) > [That age is best which is the first When youth and blood are warmer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/that-age-is-best-which-is-the-first-when-youth-and-blood-are-warmer/) [Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/) > [Show me thy feet, show me thy legs, thy thighs Show me those fleshy principalities; Show me that hill where smiling love doth sit,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/show-me-thy-feet-show-me-thy-legs-thy-thighs-show-me-those-fleshy/) [Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/) > [Hast thou attempted greatnesse? Then go on; Back-turning slackens resolution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/hast-thou-attempted-greatnesse-then-go-on-back-turning-slackens/) [Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/) > [Attempt the end and never stand to doubt; Nothing's so hard, but search will find it out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/attempt-the-end-and-never-stand-to-doubt-nothing-s-so-hard-but-search/) [Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/) > [The readiness of doing doth expresse No other but the doer's willingnesse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/the-readiness-of-doing-doth-expresse-no-other-but-the-doer-s/) [Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/) [Explore all 140 Robert Herrick quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/) ## More Alms quotes > [If you are to go to Christ, do not put on your good doings and feelings, or you will get nothing. Go in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/if-you-are-to-go-to-christ-do-not-put-on-your-good-doings-and/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [In giving alms, let us rather look at the needs of the poor than his claim to your charity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-antoine-petit-senn/in-giving-alms-let-us-rather-look-at-the-needs-of-the-poor-than-his/) [Jean Antoine Petit-Senn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-antoine-petit-senn/) > [Those good men who take such pleasure in relieving the miserable for Christ's sake, would not have been less forward to minister onto Christ…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-atterbury/those-good-men-who-take-such-pleasure-in-relieving-the-miserable-for/) [Francis Atterbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-atterbury/) > [Work is love made visible. And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/work-is-love-made-visible-and-if-you-cannot-work-with-love-but-only/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Alms (is) for the purity of your soul, and flourishment and expansion of your sustenence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fatima-bint-muhammad/alms-is-for-the-purity-of-your-soul-and-flourishment-and-expansion-of/) [Fatima bint Muhammad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fatima-bint-muhammad/) > [All religions have honored the beggar. For he proves that in a matter at the same time as prosaic and holy, banal and regenerative…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-benjamin/all-religions-have-honored-the-beggar-for-he-proves-that-in-a-matter/) [Walter Benjamin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-benjamin/) > [The setting sun is reflected from the windows of the alms-house as brightly as from the rich man's abode.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/the-setting-sun-is-reflected-from-the-windows-of-the-alms-house-as/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [I know that a man who shows me his wealth is like the beggar who shows me his poverty; they are both looking for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-hecht/i-know-that-a-man-who-shows-me-his-wealth-is-like-the-beggar-who/) [Ben Hecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-hecht/) > [“Pesa itolewe kwa masharti au bila masharti chukua, kwani huyo aliyeitoa si yake. Benki, kwa mfano, ikitaka kukupa mkopo itakuwa na masharti yake; chukua,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enock-maregesi/pesa-itolewe-kwa-masharti-au-bila-masharti-chukua-kwani-huyo/) [Enock Maregesi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enock-maregesi/) > [The best remedy for dryness of spirit, is to picture ourselves as beggars in the presence of God and the Saints, and like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-neri/the-best-remedy-for-dryness-of-spirit-is-to-picture-ourselves-as/) [Philip Neri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-neri/) > [Walking does good to the fat and giving alms does good to the sinners; these both make one feel lighter!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/walking-does-good-to-the-fat-and-giving-alms-does-good-to-the-sinners/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [Give a drink of water as alms to the birds which go forth at morning, and deem that they have a better right than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-ma-arri/give-a-drink-of-water-as-alms-to-the-birds-which-go-forth-at-morning/) [Al-Maʿarri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-ma-arri/) > [Where there is plenty, charity is a duty, not a courtesy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-feltham/where-there-is-plenty-charity-is-a-duty-not-a-courtesy/) [Owen Feltham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-feltham/) > [Are we not to pity and supply the poor, though they have no relation to us? No relation? That cannot be. The Gospel styles…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sprat/are-we-not-to-pity-and-supply-the-poor-though-they-have-no-relation/) [Thomas Sprat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sprat/) > [But what if I should discover that the least amongst them all, the poorest of all beggars, the most impudent of all offenders, yea…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/but-what-if-i-should-discover-that-the-least-amongst-them-all-the/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) [Browse all 124 Alms quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alms/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Give, if thou can, an alms; if not, a sweet and gentle word.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Robert Herrick" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/give-if-thou-can-an-alms-if-not-a-sweet-and-gentle-word/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Alms" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/give-if-thou-can-an-alms-if-not-a-sweet-and-gentle-word/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/56d/robert-herrick-3088_alms_give-if-thou-can-an-alms-if-not-a-sweet_2222648.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/56d/robert-herrick-3088_alms_give-if-thou-can-an-alms-if-not-a-sweet_2222648.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/56d/robert-herrick-3088_alms_give-if-thou-can-an-alms-if-not-a-sweet_2222648.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Give, if thou can, an alms; if not, a sweet and gentle word.” — Robert Herrick", "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": "Robert Herrick", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Give, if thou can, an alms;...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/give-if-thou-can-an-alms-if-not-a-sweet-and-gentle-word/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/give-if-thou-can-an-alms-if-not-a-sweet-and-gentle-word/#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 } } ] } ```