Aristotle on Giving & Powerful Decisions
on Thursday, February 5, 2015Aristotle Money Quotation saying we all have basic ability for charity, but few have the knowledge of effective philanthropy. Aristotle said:
“To give money is an easy matter and in every man’s power. But to decide to whom to give it, and how large and when, and for what purpose and how, is neither in every man’s power nor an easy matter” — Aristotle
In this quote, Aristotle is pointing out that while simply giving away money may seem easy to do, making good judgments about who deserves aid, how much to give, when to give it, and for what reasons and purposes is actually difficult and requires wisdom.
Anyone can part with their money, but determining the best and most ethical way to distribute funds takes careful consideration of many factors.
Aristotle appears to be arguing that true philanthropy or charitable giving involves more than just handing out cash – it demands prudence, discernment and strategy about the most impactful and deserving recipients as well as the appropriate amounts and conditions of any financial support provided.
According to Aristotle, deciding how to allocate resources philanthropically is a nuanced task that is beyond the abilities of most people.
Birthday: January 6, 384 BC – Death: March 7, 322 BC