Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Charity can breed resentment; poverty feels endless.
In plain terms
Give more and gratitude may turn to demand; poverty is bottomless.
What can you take from it?
Growth is never satisfied.

Where it applies

  • philanthropy
  • social policy
  • personal generosity

Putting it to work

  • set boundaries
  • focus on roots
  • expect limits

Questions to consider

  • Why does giving backfire?
  • What truly ends poverty?

Another view

Pessimistic and ignores systemic solutions.

More from Anzia Yezierska

  1. Poverty was an ornament on a learned man like a red ribbon on a white horse

    Permalink to quote #3
  2. The trouble with us is that the ghetto of the Middle Ages and the children of the twentieth century have to live under one roof.

    Permalink to quote #5
  3. Without comprehension, the immigrant would forever remain shut-a stranger in America. Until America can release the heart as well as train the hand of the immi…

    Permalink to quote #2

Related quotes

  1. Je n'ai rien vaillant; je dois beaucoup; je donne le reste aux pauvres.

    Francois RabelaisFrancois Rabelais quote #2
  2. Such dainties to them, their health it might hurt; It's like sending them ruffles, when wanting a shirt.

    Oliver GoldsmithOliver Goldsmith quote #3
  3. With one hand he put A penny in the urn of poverty, And with the other took a shilling out.

    Robert PollokRobert Pollok quote #8