--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The bread which you use is the bread of…" description: "\"The bread which you use is the bread of the hungry; the garment hanging in your wardrobe is the garment of him who is naked; the shoes you do not wear ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/932/saint-basil-4281_acts-of-charity_the-bread-which-you-use-is-the-bread-of_1412897.png" --- # The bread which you use is the bread of the hungry; the… ![“The bread which you use is the bread of the hungry; the garment hanging in your wardrobe is the garment of him who is naked; the shoes you do not wear are the shoes of the one who is barefoot; the acts of charity that you do not perform are so many injustices that you commit.” quote by Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/932/saint-basil-4281_acts-of-charity_the-bread-which-you-use-is-the-bread-of_1412897.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/932/saint-basil-4281_acts-of-charity_the-bread-which-you-use-is-the-bread-of_1412897.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/932/saint-basil-4281_acts-of-charity_the-bread-which-you-use-is-the-bread-of_1412897.png) > “The bread which you use is the bread of the hungry; the garment hanging in your wardrobe is the garment of him who is naked; the shoes you do not wear are the shoes of the one who is barefoot; the acts of charity that you do not perform are so many injustices that you commit.” [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. Neglecting basic needs of others while keeping excess is a moral failing; failing to act charitably is an injustice. **In simple terms:** Ignoring others' needs while keeping excess is wrong. Key Takeaway Share what you have with those in need. Themes charity justice compassion Mood reflective empathetic Type ethical inspirational When to use this quote - providing food - donating clothing - volunteering - helping the homeless Key Concepts moral responsibility social ethics Questions to Reflect On - What can you give today, however small? - How does sharing change your view of abundance? A Different Perspective We may lack resources to give, making charity difficult. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acts of charity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acts-of-charity/) [Barefoot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/barefoot/) [Bread](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bread/) [Charity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/charity/) [Injustice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/injustice/) [Saint](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saint/) [Serving others](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/serving-others/) ## Related quotes > [“Dear God, give bread to those who are hungry and a hunger and thirst for justice to those who have plenty. Amen.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedictine-prayer/dear-god-give-bread-to-those-who-are-hungry-and-a-hunger-and-thirst/) Benedictine prayer > [“Had you clothed the naked, had you given your bread to the hungry, had your door been open to every stranger, had you been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/basil-the-great/had-you-clothed-the-naked-had-you-given-your-bread-to-the-hungry-had/) [Basil the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/basil-the-great/) > [In writing with detail, you are turning to face the world. It is a deeply political act, because you are not staying in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/in-writing-with-detail-you-are-turning-to-face-the-world-it-is-a/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [ “We break bread with the hungry\[78\] and share our home with them\[79\] for the sake of Christ’s love, which belongs to the hungry as… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/we-break-bread-with-the-hungry-78-and-share-our-home-with-them-79-for/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [He is bread to the hungry, water to the thirsty, a garment to the naked, healing to the wounded; and whatever a soul can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flavel/he-is-bread-to-the-hungry-water-to-the-thirsty-a-garment-to-the-naked/) [John Flavel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flavel/) > [People are not hungry just for bread, they are hungry for love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/people-are-not-hungry-just-for-bread-they-are-hungry-for-love/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) > [You may give a piece of bread to a hungry person, and when the cravings of hunger return some one else must administer to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-wells/you-may-give-a-piece-of-bread-to-a-hungry-person-and-when-the/) Daniel H. Wells > [God will certainly be pleased if you give water for the thirsty, bread for the hungry and clothes to the naked.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sathya-sai-baba/god-will-certainly-be-pleased-if-you-give-water-for-the-thirsty-bread/) [Sathya Sai Baba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sathya-sai-baba/) > [The world today is hungry Not only for bread But hungry for love; Hungry to be wanted, Hungry to be loved...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/the-world-today-is-hungry-not-only-for-bread-but-hungry-for-love/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) > [“Through His grace God has dealt bread to the hungry and clothing to the poor. At various times in our lives that will include…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/through-his-grace-god-has-dealt-bread-to-the-hungry-and-clothing-to/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink, and thou hast withholden bread from the hungry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/thou-hast-not-given-water-to-the-weary-to-drink-and-thou-hast/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [If you have only one bread and you are hungry,you'll never give it to the birds.If you have only one bottle of water and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-have-only-one-bread-and-you-are-hungry-you-ll-never-give-it-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You're my bread when I'm hungry You're my shelter from troubled winds You're my anchor in life's ocean Most of all You're my best…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-williams/you-re-my-bread-when-i-m-hungry-you-re-my-shelter-from-troubled-winds/) [Don Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-williams/) > [Hungry not only for bread - but hungry for love. Naked not only for clothing - but naked of human dignity and respect. Homeless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/hungry-not-only-for-bread-but-hungry-for-love-naked-not-only-for/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) > [Passion is present when a man can distinguish between the wine and the container. Two men see a loaf of bread. One hasn't eaten…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/passion-is-present-when-a-man-can-distinguish-between-the-wine-and/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) ## 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 Acts of charity quotes > [Both fact and logic seem to me to support the view that savings invested in privately owned economic tools of production amount to an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-a-harper/both-fact-and-logic-seem-to-me-to-support-the-view-that-savings/) F. A. Harper > [One thing will always secure heaven for us-the acts of charity and kindness with which we have filled our lives. We can do no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/one-thing-will-always-secure-heaven-for-us-the-acts-of-charity-and/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) > [People are complicated creatures. On the one hand, capable of great acts of charity, and on the other, capable of the most underhanded forms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-alice/people-are-complicated-creatures-on-the-one-hand-capable-of-great/) [Mary Alice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-alice/) > [Solidarity is not an act of charity, but mutual aid between forces fighting for the same objective.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samora-machel/solidarity-is-not-an-act-of-charity-but-mutual-aid-between-forces/) [Samora Machel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samora-machel/) > [There is so much indifference in the face of suffering. May we overcome indifference with concrete acts of charity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/there-is-so-much-indifference-in-the-face-of-suffering-may-we/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [Every act of charity, every thought of sympathy, every action of help, every good deed, is taking so much of self-importance away from our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-act-of-charity-every-thought-of-sympathy-every-action-of-help/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [U.S. commitment to NATO and our commitments our European partners is not an act of charity. It's not a gift that we give to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-chollet/u-s-commitment-to-nato-and-our-commitments-our-european-partners-is/) Derek Chollet > [I choose not to believe in any gods as an act of charity,” Marcus said. “Charity toward whom?” “Toward the gods. Seems rude to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-abraham/i-choose-not-to-believe-in-any-gods-as-an-act-of-charity-marcus-said/) [Daniel Abraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-abraham/) > [We must not permit our respect for the dead or our sympathy for the living to lead us into an act of injustice to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/davy-crockett/we-must-not-permit-our-respect-for-the-dead-or-our-sympathy-for-the-2/) [Davy Crockett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/davy-crockett/) > [In every human act of charity, something larger, greater, divine has come down to visit the act.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-wood/in-every-human-act-of-charity-something-larger-greater-divine-has/) [Geoffrey Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-wood/) > [The smallest act of charity shall stand us in great stead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-atterbury/the-smallest-act-of-charity-shall-stand-us-in-great-stead/) [Francis Atterbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-atterbury/) > [It is undeniable that every human being is entitled to living space, daily bread, and the protection of the law as a common birthright;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-delp/it-is-undeniable-that-every-human-being-is-entitled-to-living-space/) [Alfred Delp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-delp/) > [Remember to set apart at least one hour every day to do some service for others. While the food we eat nurtures our bodies,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mata-amritanandamayi/remember-to-set-apart-at-least-one-hour-every-day-to-do-some-service/) [Mata Amritanandamayi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mata-amritanandamayi/) > [Creation comes before distribution - or there will be nothing to distribute. The need of the creator comes before the need of any possible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/creation-comes-before-distribution-or-there-will-be-nothing-to/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [A wise man should not divulge the formula of a medicine which he has well prepared; an act of charity which he has performed;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/a-wise-man-should-not-divulge-the-formula-of-a-medicine-which-he-has/) [Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/) [Browse all 31 Acts of charity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acts-of-charity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The bread which you use is the bread of the hungry; the garment hanging in your wardrobe is the garment of him who is naked; the shoes you do not wear are the shoes of the one who is barefoot; the acts of charity that you do not perform are so many injustices that you commit.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Saint Basil" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/the-bread-which-you-use-is-the-bread-of-the-hungry-the-garment/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Acts of charity" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/the-bread-which-you-use-is-the-bread-of-the-hungry-the-garment/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/932/saint-basil-4281_acts-of-charity_the-bread-which-you-use-is-the-bread-of_1412897.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/932/saint-basil-4281_acts-of-charity_the-bread-which-you-use-is-the-bread-of_1412897.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/932/saint-basil-4281_acts-of-charity_the-bread-which-you-use-is-the-bread-of_1412897.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The bread which you use is the bread of the hungry; the garment hanging in your wardrobe is the garment of…” — Saint Basil", "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": "Saint Basil", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The bread which you use is...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/the-bread-which-you-use-is-the-bread-of-the-hungry-the-garment/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/the-bread-which-you-use-is-the-bread-of-the-hungry-the-garment/#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 } } ] } ```