--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The bread which you hold back belongs to…" description: "\"“The bread which you hold back belongs to the hungry; the coat, which you guard in your locked storage-chests, belongs to the naked; the footwear mould..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/970/saint-basil-4281_bread_the-bread-which-you-hold-back-belongs-to_3018094.jpg" --- # The bread which you hold back belongs to the hungry; the… ![“The bread which you hold back belongs to the hungry; the coat, which you guard in your locked storage-chests, belongs to the naked; the footwear mouldering in your closet belongs to those without shoes. The silver that you keep hidden in a safe place belongs to the one in need. Thus, however many…” quote by Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/970/saint-basil-4281_bread_the-bread-which-you-hold-back-belongs-to_3018094.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/970/saint-basil-4281_bread_the-bread-which-you-hold-back-belongs-to_3018094.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/970/saint-basil-4281_bread_the-bread-which-you-hold-back-belongs-to_3018094.jpg) > ““The bread which you hold back belongs to the hungry; the coat, which you guard in your locked storage-chests, belongs to the naked; the footwear mouldering in your closet belongs to those without shoes. The silver that you keep hidden in a safe place belongs to the one in need. Thus, however many are those whom you could have provided for, so many are those whom you wrong.”” [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Sharing resources with those in need is a moral duty; hoarding benefits the privileged. **In simple terms:** Give to the needy, not keep for yourself. Key Takeaway Prioritize generosity over selfishness. Themes charity social justice ethics Mood compassionate serious Type moral inspirational When to use this quote - poverty relief - community support - personal finance Key Concepts altruism inequality Questions to Reflect On - Who in your life needs your help? - How can you share without feeling exploited? A Different Perspective Resource distribution can be complex and politically charged. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Belongs Hungry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belongs-hungry-4259134/) [Belongs Shoes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belongs-shoes-4871387/) [Bread](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bread/) [Chests](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chests/) [Chests Belongs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chests-belongs-4871388/) [Closet Belongs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/closet-belongs-992874/) [Closets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/closets/) [Coats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coats/) [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Footwear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/footwear/) [Hunger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hunger/) [Hungry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hungry/) [Locked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/locked/) [Naked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/naked/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Place Belongs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/place-belongs-1611353/) [Poor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poor/) [Poverty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poverty/) [Safe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/safe/) [Safe place](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/safe-place/) [Safe places](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/safe-places/) [Sharing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sharing/) [Shoes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shoes/) [Silver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/silver/) [Stealing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stealing/) [Stewardship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stewardship/) [Storage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/storage/) [Wealth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wealth/) ## Related quotes > [The bread you store up belongs to the hungry; the cloak that lies in your chest belongs to the naked; the gold you have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/the-bread-you-store-up-belongs-to-the-hungry-the-cloak-that-lies-in/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) > [If you have two shirts in your closet, one belongs to you and the other to the man with no shirt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-have-two-shirts-in-your-closet-one-belongs-to-you-and-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The coat that hangs in your closet belongs to the poor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-maurin/the-coat-that-hangs-in-your-closet-belongs-to-the-poor/) [Peter Maurin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-maurin/) > [When someone steals another's clothes, we call them a thief. Should we not give the same name to one who could clothe the naked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-someone-steals-another-s-clothes-we-call-them-a-thief-should-we/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [A place belongs forever to whoever claims it hardest, remembers it most obsessively, wrenches it from itself, shapes it, renders it, loves it so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-didion/a-place-belongs-forever-to-whoever-claims-it-hardest-remembers-it/) [Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-didion/) > [“Life is what happens while you’re making other plans, they said; so philosophy must guide your attention repeatedly back to the place where it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-bakewell/life-is-what-happens-while-you-re-making-other-plans-they-said-so/) [Sarah Bakewell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-bakewell/) > [A city man is a home anywhere, for all big cities are much alike. But a country man has a place where he belongs,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-abbey/a-city-man-is-a-home-anywhere-for-all-big-cities-are-much-alike-but-a/) [Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/) > [I think everything belongs in a certain place, for kids who feel they don't belong anywhere. A museum is an institution like a library…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-selznick/i-think-everything-belongs-in-a-certain-place-for-kids-who-feel-they/) [Brian Selznick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-selznick/) > [“When is a thing out of place not out of place? When it belongs.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-lakey/when-is-a-thing-out-of-place-not-out-of-place-when-it-belongs/) [J.D. Lakey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-lakey/) > [Shoes transform your body language and attitude. They lift you physically and emotionally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-louboutin/shoes-transform-your-body-language-and-attitude-they-lift-you/) [Christian Louboutin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-louboutin/) > [You can never take too much care over the choice of your shoes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-dior/you-can-never-take-too-much-care-over-the-choice-of-your-shoes/) [Christian Dior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-dior/) > [I can't concentrate in flats. I could go to the gym if I wore flats, I'd love to go to the gym, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-beckham/i-can-t-concentrate-in-flats-i-could-go-to-the-gym-if-i-wore-flats-i/) [Victoria Beckham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-beckham/) > [“Offence is like muddy soil; when trapped underfoot, it resists rapid progress. Don't trap offences under your mind, else you resist change! Jesus said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/offence-is-like-muddy-soil-when-trapped-underfoot-it-resists-rapid/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [... the running shoe ... could be called the Swiss Army knife of footwear ... What appeal is there to a shoe whose only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mimi-pond/the-running-shoe-could-be-called-the-swiss-army-knife-of-footwear/) [Mimi Pond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mimi-pond/) > [I firmly believe that with the right footwear one can rule the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-midler/i-firmly-believe-that-with-the-right-footwear-one-can-rule-the-world/) [Bette Midler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-midler/) ## More by Saint Basil > [Truly unexpected tidings make both ears tingle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/truly-unexpected-tidings-make-both-ears-tingle/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) > [Just as we would have no need of the farmer's labor and toil if we were living amid the delights of paradise, so also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/just-as-we-would-have-no-need-of-the-farmer-s-labor-and-toil-if-we/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) > [Men whose sense of taste is destroyed by sickness, sometimes think honey sour. A diseased eye does not see many things which do exist,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/men-whose-sense-of-taste-is-destroyed-by-sickness-sometimes-think/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) > [Good masters teach good doctrine, but that taught by evil masters is wholly evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/good-masters-teach-good-doctrine-but-that-taught-by-evil-masters-is/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) > [They who sow courtesy reap friendship, and they who plant kindness gather love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/they-who-sow-courtesy-reap-friendship-and-they-who-plant-kindness/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) > [It is impious to say that evil has its origin from God, because naught contrary is produced by the contrary. Life does not generate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/it-is-impious-to-say-that-evil-has-its-origin-from-god-because-naught/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) > [Do not measure your loss by itself; if you do, it will seem intolerable; but if you will take all human affairs into account…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/do-not-measure-your-loss-by-itself-if-you-do-it-will-seem-intolerable/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) > [A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/a-tree-is-known-by-its-fruit-a-man-by-his-deeds-a-good-deed-is-never/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) > [\[Every disappointment or misfortune can become a blessing in disguise, for which we should be grateful. But only if the hidden blessing is anticipated,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/every-disappointment-or-misfortune-can-become-a-blessing-in-disguise/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) > [We should not accept in silence the benefactions of God, but return thanks for them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/we-should-not-accept-in-silence-the-benefactions-of-god-but-return/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) > [Any one who chooses will set up for a literary critic, though he cannot tell us where he went to school, or how much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/any-one-who-chooses-will-set-up-for-a-literary-critic-though-he/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) > [A woman who deliberately destroys a fetus is answerable for murder. And any fine distinction as to its being completely formed or unformed is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/a-woman-who-deliberately-destroys-a-fetus-is-answerable-for-murder/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) > [The sun penetrates crystal and makes it more dazzling. In the same way, the sanctifying Spirit indwells in souls and makes them more radiant.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/the-sun-penetrates-crystal-and-makes-it-more-dazzling-in-the-same-way/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) > [If everyone would take only according to his needs and would leave the surplus to the needy, no one would be rich, no one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/if-everyone-would-take-only-according-to-his-needs-and-would-leave/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) > [We need not only read Sacred Scripture, but learn it as well and grow up in it. Realize that nothing is written in Scripture…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/we-need-not-only-read-sacred-scripture-but-learn-it-as-well-and-grow/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) [Explore all 113 Saint Basil quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) ## More Bread quotes > [French women don't eat Wonder Bread.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mireille-guiliano/french-women-don-t-eat-wonder-bread/) [Mireille Guiliano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mireille-guiliano/) > [In the olden days in England, you could be hung for stealing a sheep or a loaf of bread. However, if a sheep stole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-harding/in-the-olden-days-in-england-you-could-be-hung-for-stealing-a-sheep/) [Mike Harding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-harding/) > [I don't eat meat - chicken, fish, none of that. I eat a lot of vegetable sandwiches, like lettuce, tomatoes, sprouts, cucumbers, whatever I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gza/i-don-t-eat-meat-chicken-fish-none-of-that-i-eat-a-lot-of-vegetable/) [Gza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gza/) > [“We should remark the grace and fascination that there is even in the incidentals of Nature's processes.. When a loaf of bread,. for instance,.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/we-should-remark-the-grace-and-fascination-that-there-is-even-in-the/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [When I met you you were oh so sweet, now you give me the bread and you take all the meat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-jett/when-i-met-you-you-were-oh-so-sweet-now-you-give-me-the-bread-and-you/) [Joan Jett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-jett/) > [When you fight to give your family bread, that's not passion anymore: that's conviction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yoel-romero/when-you-fight-to-give-your-family-bread-that-s-not-passion-anymore/) [Yoel Romero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yoel-romero/) > [I think the best Thanksgiving we ever had was one where we didn't even have a turkey. Mom and Dad sat us kids down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-handey/i-think-the-best-thanksgiving-we-ever-had-was-one-where-we-didn-t/) [Jack Handey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-handey/) > [Bread is a second cause; the LORD Himself is the first source of our sustenance. He can work without the second cause as well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/bread-is-a-second-cause-the-lord-himself-is-the-first-source-of-our/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Even if we have to go without bread, we Albanians do not violate principles. We do not betray Marxism - Leninism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enver-hoxha/even-if-we-have-to-go-without-bread-we-albanians-do-not-violate/) [Enver Hoxha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enver-hoxha/) > [Man preys on man; and you mourn for the idle tapestry that decorated a gothic pillar, and the dronish bell that summoned the fat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wollstonecraft/man-preys-on-man-and-you-mourn-for-the-idle-tapestry-that-decorated-a/) [Mary Wollstonecraft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wollstonecraft/) > [“Nine times out of ten, people pick the wrong food. No, it’s not the sugar (GI = 68), it’s not the candy bar (GI…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-perlmutter/nine-times-out-of-ten-people-pick-the-wrong-food-no-it-s-not-the/) [David Perlmutter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-perlmutter/) > [Waffles аrе јust awesome bread.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/waffles-r-ust-awesome-bread/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [At my age, I don't buy but a half a loaf of bread, you know?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/merle-haggard/at-my-age-i-don-t-buy-but-a-half-a-loaf-of-bread-you-know/) [Merle Haggard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/merle-haggard/) > [Jesus Christ would have been considered just another long-haired hippie freak if he hadn't been crucified. The folks weren't impressed with healing the sick,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-turner/jesus-christ-would-have-been-considered-just-another-long-haired/) [Ted Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-turner/) > [“To consume the Eucharist is an act of anticonsumption, for here to consume is to be consumed, to be taken up into participation in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-t-cavanaugh/to-consume-the-eucharist-is-an-act-of-anticonsumption-for-here-to/) [William T. Cavanaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-t-cavanaugh/) [Browse all 2,164 Bread quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bread/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The bread which you hold back belongs to the hungry; the coat, which you guard in your locked storage-chests, belongs to the naked; the footwear mouldering in your closet belongs to those without shoes. 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