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About this quote

What does it mean?
Charity can lead to many sins, perhaps by fostering dependency or moral complacency.
In plain terms
Giving can create problems.
What can you take from it?
Give in ways that empower rather than create reliance.

Where it applies

  • philanthropy
  • social aid programs

Putting it to work

  • supporting sustainable projects
  • encouraging self‑sufficiency

Questions to consider

  • When does charity become harmful?
  • How can aid avoid creating dependency?

Another view

Charity also alleviates immediate suffering and can be a force for good.

More from Oscar Wilde

  1. The fact is, that civilisation requires slaves. The Greeks were quite right there. Unless there are slaves to do the ugly, horrible, uninteresting work, cultur…

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  2. Closed eyes listen, afraid to see on their own. Easily influenced and simply conformed.

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  3. Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live.

    Permalink to quote #197

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