It is better to give than to take.给予胜于索取。
这条谚语出自《圣经》,原文是:
I have showed you all things, how that so
labouring we ought to support the weak, and to
remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he
said.It is more blessed to give than to receive.
(意思是:施比受更为有福。)
中国成语“舍己为人”,近似这意思,也是赞扬自我牺牲的精神。《战国策》引用《周书》说“将欲取之,必姑与之”。那却是一种“欲擒先纵”的计谋策略。
这种“乐于施与”的精神,往往是“善有善报”、“利己利人”的:
The hand that gives, gathers.
施与的手也有收获。
但乐施也要有方:
He who gives discreetly gains directly.
谨慎的施与带来直接的收益。
He who gives to the unworthy loses doubly.
对不值得同情的人施惠招致双重损失。