Happiness is never something you get from other people. The happiness you feel is in direct proportion to the love you are able to give.

People are very fond of giving away what they need most themselves. It is what I call the depth of generosity.

Those who have much are often greedy; those who have little often share.

Philanthropic people lose all sense of humanity. It is their distinguishing characteristic.

Act with kindness but do not expect gratitude.

He who wishes to secure the good of others, has already secured his own.

A good deed, said the prophet Mohammed, is one that brings a smile of joy to the face of another. Why will doing a good deed every day produce such astounding efforts on the doer? Because trying to please others will cause us to stop thinking of ourselves: the very thing that produces worry and fear and melancholia.

The world is full of people who are grabbing and self-seeking. So the rare individual who unselfishly tries to serve others has an enormous advantage.

If we are so contemptibly selfish that we can't radiate a little happiness and pass on a bit of honest appreciation without trying to get something out of the other person in return — if our souls are no bigger than sour crab apples, we shall meet with the failure we so richly deserve.

It enriches those who receive, without impoverishing those who give. It happens in a flash and the memory of it sometimes lasts forever.

The Sea of Galilee is teeming with fish and life," the priest began. "The Dead Sea is dead and devoid of life. They are both fed by the sparkling water of the River Jordan, so what's the difference? The Sea of Galilee gives all its water away. The Dead Sea keeps it all for itself. Like the Dead Sea, when we keep all that is fresh and good for ourselves, we turn our lives into a briny soup of salty tears.

When I give, I give myself