Gratitude Quote by Swami Vivekananda
““When you give something to a man and expect nothing — do not even expect the man to be grateful — his ingratitude will not tell upon you, because you never expected anything, never thought you had any right to anything in the way of a return. You gave him what he deserved; his own Karma got it for him; your Karma made you the carrier thereof.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, 1905
Giving without expectation frees you from disappointment and aligns with karmic justice; the giver’s lack of entitlement makes the act pure.
In simple terms: Giving selflessly avoids resentment.
Give freely, expect nothing.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- charitable acts
- personal relationships
- volunteering
- mentor‑mentee dynamics
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What motivates your generosity?
- How does expectation affect your peace?
If you secretly hope for gratitude, the act may become transactional.