Ambrose Bierce: Philanthropist Grin
on Sunday, April 10, 2022Ambrose Bierce Money Quote saying that bald old rich guys who smile oddly while charities are as good as pickpockets. Ambrose Bierce said:
“Philanthropist. A rich (and usually bald) old gentleman who has trained himself to grin while his conscience is picking his pocket…” — Ambrose Bierce
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In this quote, Ambrose Bierce is taking a cynical view of philanthropists. By describing a philanthropist as a “rich old gentleman” who has trained himself to “grin” or smile while his “conscience is picking his pocket”, Bierce suggests that some philanthropic acts are not truly altruistic or done out of genuine care for others in need.
He implies that for some philanthropists, donating to charitable causes is a way to ease their conscience about accumulating wealth, while also providing further tax breaks or positive publicity. So in essence, Bierce is accusing certain philanthropists of using donations as a way to feel better about themselves and their wealth, rather than coming from pure, selfless motivations to help the less fortunate.
The quote portrays philanthropy in a critical light as potentially serving the interests of donors’ egos and finances rather than strictly benefiting recipients.
Birthday: June 24, 1842 – Disappeared: c. 1914