---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Philanthropy is an important subject of…"
description: "\"Philanthropy is an important subject of liberal education because it examines the role of good works in shaping our conceptions of the good society and..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5be/robert-l-payton-42358_conception_philanthropy-is-an-important-subject-of_2839487.jpg"
---

#  Philanthropy is an important subject of liberal education…

![“Philanthropy is an important subject of liberal education because it examines the role of good works in shaping our conceptions of the good society and the good life.” quote by Robert L. Payton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5be/robert-l-payton-42358_conception_philanthropy-is-an-important-subject-of_2839487.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5be/robert-l-payton-42358_conception_philanthropy-is-an-important-subject-of_2839487.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5be/robert-l-payton-42358_conception_philanthropy-is-an-important-subject-of_2839487.jpg)

> “Philanthropy is an important subject of liberal education because it examines the role of good works in shaping our conceptions of the good society and the good life.”

[Robert L. Payton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-l-payton/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Studying philanthropy reveals how charitable actions shape ideas of a just society and a fulfilling life

**In simple terms:** Philanthropy teaches what a good society looks like

Key Takeaway

Explore charitable work to understand societal values

Themes

education ethics society

Mood

thoughtful analytical

Type

academic ethical

When to use this quote

- civic education
- community service
- policy design

Key Concepts

good works social responsibility public good

Questions to Reflect On

- What does “good” mean in your community?
- How can education integrate service learning?

A Different Perspective

Philanthropy is a lens, not a solution, for societal questions

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Conception](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conception/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Good life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-life/) [Good Society](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-society/) [Good work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-work/) [Important](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/important/) [Liberal education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberal-education/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Philanthropy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philanthropy/) [Philanthropy Important](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philanthropy-important-2787557/) [Roles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/roles/) [Society Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/society-good-311037/) [Subjects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/subjects/)

## Related quotes

> [Producing is a little bit in my blood. Philanthropy also is a very important for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-tassler/producing-is-a-little-bit-in-my-blood-philanthropy-also-is-a-very/)

[Nina Tassler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nina-tassler/)

> [“What’s good for individual could be bad for society but what’s good for society that will be good for individual and there is always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zaman-ali/what-s-good-for-individual-could-be-bad-for-society-but-what-s-good/)

[Zaman Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zaman-ali/)

> [There cannot be a "good" society until there are "good" men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-chodorov/there-cannot-be-a-good-society-until-there-are-good-men/)

[Frank Chodorov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-chodorov/)

> [I think one thing with Sweden is that in some way the Swedish society is a very good society, almost perfect on the surface.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-ahndoril/i-think-one-thing-with-sweden-is-that-in-some-way-the-swedish-society/)

[Alexander Ahndoril](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-ahndoril/)

> [What is good for society is also good for business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/petter-stordalen/what-is-good-for-society-is-also-good-for-business/)

[Petter Stordalen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/petter-stordalen/)

> [Capitalists have done more good for society through their charitable giving, philanthropy and generosity than all their critics combined.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-cook/capitalists-have-done-more-good-for-society-through-their-charitable/)

[James Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-cook/)

> [Of two evils, it is perhaps less injurious to society, that good doctrine should be accompanied by a bad life, than that a good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/of-two-evils-it-is-perhaps-less-injurious-to-society-that-good/)

[Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/)

> [I have always taken up films that I like. And in the process if I have done films which bring out something that could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pankaj-kapur/i-have-always-taken-up-films-that-i-like-and-in-the-process-if-i-have/)

[Pankaj Kapur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pankaj-kapur/)

> [The height, the deity of man is to be self-sustained, to need no gift, no foreign force. Society is good when it does not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-height-the-deity-of-man-is-to-be-self-sustained-to-need-no-gift/)

[Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/)

> [“Seek ye not riches, seek but the society of good men.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikolai-gogol/seek-ye-not-riches-seek-but-the-society-of-good-men/)

[Nikolai Gogol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikolai-gogol/)

> [Raising self-centered kids is not good for society, but it's also not good for their own mental health to be completely self-absorbed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-damon/raising-self-centered-kids-is-not-good-for-society-but-it-s-also-not/)

[William Damon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-damon/)

> [The society will have good children, if the mothers are good. If the mothers lack sense and knowledge, the children may go the wrong…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sreenivasan/the-society-will-have-good-children-if-the-mothers-are-good-if-the/)

[Sreenivasan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sreenivasan/)

> [“I am no enemy of Nepal being a fully literate society. It is a good thing for society and the nation as a whole.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/santosh-kalwar/i-am-no-enemy-of-nepal-being-a-fully-literate-society-it-is-a-good/)

[Santosh Kalwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/santosh-kalwar/)

> [If you have to go through life being unhappy to conform to society around you, that's not a very good deal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-dell/if-you-have-to-go-through-life-being-unhappy-to-conform-to-society/)

[Michael Dell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-dell/)

> [I think there is a real negative attitude to splitting up with someone in our society, but it is good to stay friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-riley/i-think-there-is-a-real-negative-attitude-to-splitting-up-with/)

[Rachel Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-riley/)

## More by Robert L. Payton

> [Philanthropy requires thought, action, and passion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-l-payton/philanthropy-requires-thought-action-and-passion/)

[Robert L. Payton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-l-payton/)

> [We cannot preserve philanthropic and charitable values if we detach them completely from our fundamental personal beliefs and convictions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-l-payton/we-cannot-preserve-philanthropic-and-charitable-values-if-we-detach/)

[Robert L. Payton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-l-payton/)

> [We should never lose sight of the very close link between individual giving and the formation of philanthropic traditions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-l-payton/we-should-never-lose-sight-of-the-very-close-link-between-individual/)

[Robert L. Payton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-l-payton/)

> [Do we live for or do we live off philanthropy?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-l-payton/do-we-live-for-or-do-we-live-off-philanthropy/)

[Robert L. Payton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-l-payton/)

> [Philanthropy is the duty of how we should behave when things go wrong for people, and how we can help to make things better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-l-payton/philanthropy-is-the-duty-of-how-we-should-behave-when-things-go-wrong/)

[Robert L. Payton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-l-payton/)

> [Philanthropy is the principal social institution that provides instruction in voluntary service.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-l-payton/philanthropy-is-the-principal-social-institution-that-provides/)

[Robert L. Payton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-l-payton/)

> [The philanthropic tradition is older than democracy, older than Christianity, and older than higher education. It gives form and purpose to personal and social…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-l-payton/the-philanthropic-tradition-is-older-than-democracy-older-than/)

[Robert L. Payton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-l-payton/)

> [The genius of the tradition as it has developed in America is the unique combination of giving and voluntary service in behalf of independent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-l-payton/the-genius-of-the-tradition-as-it-has-developed-in-america-is-the/)

[Robert L. Payton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-l-payton/)

> [American philanthropic custom owes much to leadership by business and professional people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-l-payton/american-philanthropic-custom-owes-much-to-leadership-by-business-and/)

[Robert L. Payton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-l-payton/)

[Explore all 10 Robert L. Payton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-l-payton/)

## More Conception quotes

> [“Conception is the beginning of human life. From the time that an ovum is fertilized a new life begins that is neither that of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/declaration-on-procured-abortion-congregation-for-the-doctrine-of-the-faith-1974/conception-is-the-beginning-of-human-life-from-the-time-that-an-ovum/)

[Declaration on Procured Abortion Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith 1974](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/declaration-on-procured-abortion-congregation-for-the-doctrine-of-the-faith-1974/)

> [Bush reiterated his stand to conservatives opposing his decision on stem cell research. He said today he believes life begins at conception and ends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/bush-reiterated-his-stand-to-conservatives-opposing-his-decision-on/)

[Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/)

> [“Take sex, for instance.' 'What do you want me to do with it?' 'Try to be serious for a moment. Take the sex life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mortimer/take-sex-for-instance-what-do-you-want-me-to-do-with-it-try-to-be/)

[John Mortimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mortimer/)

> [Bring the viewer to your side, include him in your thought. He is not a bystander. You have the power to increase his perceptions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothea-lange/bring-the-viewer-to-your-side-include-him-in-your-thought-he-is-not-a/)

[Dorothea Lange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothea-lange/)

> [Most conservatives - by which I mean normal people - have little conception of the aggressive and revolutionary force that confronts them. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-bethell/most-conservatives-by-which-i-mean-normal-people-have-little/)

[Tom Bethell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-bethell/)

> [I started with the belief that every person who came to the laboratory was free to accept or to reject the dictates of authority.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-milgram/i-started-with-the-belief-that-every-person-who-came-to-the/)

[Stanley Milgram](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-milgram/)

> [For the utilitarian, there is a fact of the matter about the good (the general happiness, or whatever conception of the good the utilitarian…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/for-the-utilitarian-there-is-a-fact-of-the-matter-about-the-good-the/)

[Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/)

> [I rejoice that the reign of Christ is such, while it thrills the soul with emotions, and opens before the highest intellect the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-simpson/i-rejoice-that-the-reign-of-christ-is-such-while-it-thrills-the-soul/)

[Matthew Simpson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-simpson/)

> [The fight against syphilis demands a fight against prostitution, against prejudices, old habits, against previous conceptions, general views among them not least the false…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-hitler/the-fight-against-syphilis-demands-a-fight-against-prostitution/)

[Adolf Hitler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-hitler/)

> [Our modern conception of the universe is so foreign to what even scientists generally believed a mere century ago that it is a tribute…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-m-krauss/our-modern-conception-of-the-universe-is-so-foreign-to-what-even/)

[Lawrence M. Krauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-m-krauss/)

> [Of Rhetoric various definitions have been given by different writers; who, however, seem not so much to have disagreed in their conceptions of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-whately/of-rhetoric-various-definitions-have-been-given-by-different-writers/)

[Richard Whately](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-whately/)

> [Music comes from the heart and returns to the heart... music is spontaneous, impulsive expression... its range is without limit... music is forever growing...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leopold-stokowski/music-comes-from-the-heart-and-returns-to-the-heart-music-is/)

[Leopold Stokowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leopold-stokowski/)

> [The oppressed without hope are mysteriously quiet. When the conception of change is beyond the limits of the possible, there are no words to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-rowbotham/the-oppressed-without-hope-are-mysteriously-quiet-when-the-conception/)

[Sheila Rowbotham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-rowbotham/)

> [“For Republicans, life begins at conception but ends at birth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-adam-snyder/for-republicans-life-begins-at-conception-but-ends-at-birth/)

[J.Adam Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-adam-snyder/)

> [ \[Joseph\] Stalin closes the exposition of these \[Leon Trotsky\] ideas with the words, "Such are in general the characteristic features of \[Vladimir\] Lenin's conception… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leon-trotsky/joseph-stalin-closes-the-exposition-of-these-leon-trotsky-ideas-with/)

[Leon Trotsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leon-trotsky/)

[Browse all 865 Conception quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conception/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Philanthropy is an important subject of liberal education because it examines the role of good works in shaping our conceptions of the good society and the good life.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Robert L. Payton"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-l-payton/philanthropy-is-an-important-subject-of-liberal-education-because-it/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Conception"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-l-payton/philanthropy-is-an-important-subject-of-liberal-education-because-it/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5be/robert-l-payton-42358_conception_philanthropy-is-an-important-subject-of_2839487.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5be/robert-l-payton-42358_conception_philanthropy-is-an-important-subject-of_2839487.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5be/robert-l-payton-42358_conception_philanthropy-is-an-important-subject-of_2839487.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Philanthropy is an important subject of liberal education because it examines the role of good works in…” — Robert L. Payton",
                "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 L. Payton",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-l-payton/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Philanthropy is an important subject of...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-l-payton/philanthropy-is-an-important-subject-of-liberal-education-because-it/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-l-payton/philanthropy-is-an-important-subject-of-liberal-education-because-it/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
