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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…” quote by Swami Vivekananda
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““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.””

Swami Vivekananda

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.

Key Takeaway

Give freely, expect nothing.

Themes

selflessness karma gratitude expectations

Mood

reflective serene

Type

philosophical spiritual

When to use this quote

  • charitable acts
  • personal relationships
  • volunteering
  • mentor‑mentee dynamics

Key Concepts

Karmic reciprocity spiritual humility

Questions to Reflect On

  • What motivates your generosity?
  • How does expectation affect your peace?
A Different Perspective

If you secretly hope for gratitude, the act may become transactional.

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