Henri Nouwen Quotes

Love isn't love until you give it away.

...perhaps charity is the kind of beauty that we comprehend the best because we miss it the most.

Charity opens the heart.

When you meet the needy your heart grows bigger

You can always give something, even if it is only kindness.

Give people not only your care, but also your heart.

I was amazed by this person who, even though she had everything, would go to feed the homeless and visit sick children and Aids victims. It was like a fairy tale. Who was she really? Why did she do this? She was trying to find love. I wanted the world to see her kindness, her humility: I think she realised that would be her way.

Altruism is a barbarism. Love is the word.

Charity isn't about pity, it is about love.

Day, the champion of the people, the one who can't bear to see those around him suffer on his behalf, who would gladly give his life for those he loves.

We often equate charity with visiting the sick, taking in casseroles to those in need, or sharing our excess with those who are less fortunate. But really, true charity is much, much more. Real charity is not something you give away; it is something that you acquire and make a part of yourself. And when the virtue of charity becomes implanted in your heart, you are never the same again.

Love is more important than what we can take...Please say with me three times-Love! Love! Love!

Beneficence is a duty. He who frequently practices it, and sees his benevolent intentions realized, at length comes really to love him to whom he has done good. When, therefore, it is said, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself," it is not meant, thou shalt love him first and do him good in consequence of that love, but, thou shalt do good to thy neighbor; and this thy beneficence will engender in thee that love to mankind which is the fulness and consummation of the inclination to do good.

Money is but one venue for generosity. Kindness is an even more valuable currency.

People say you should give until it hurts. I say you should give until it stops hurting. Know what I mean?

The Master lives within everyone. When you give food to the one who is starving, when you give water to the one who is thirsty, when you cover the one who is cold, you give your love to the Master.

They should give until it hurts, maybe a very small thing, maybe just a packet of cigarettes, but instead of by smoking that one packet, maybe I share that packet with somebody who has not got even one cigarette, and that's the beginning of love, to give until it hurts.

You may give gifts without caring, but you can't care without giving.

When you discover the wonder of giving, you will wonder how you could have lived so long in any other way.

When paying charity, one should smile and be humble, allowing the hand of the indigent to be above the giver's hand.

The cheapest gift I have to give is kindness, and it is the best.

Let us not be satisfied with just giving money. Money is not enough, money can be got, but they need your hearts to love them. So, spread your love everywhere you go.

He who cannot give anything away cannot feel anything either.

We may give without loving, but we cannot love without giving.

You don't have to be an angel, just be someone who can give.