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200 words, Albert Camus, Charity, compassion, generosity, giving, have nots, haves, joy, love, poverty
Too many have dispensed with generosity in order to practice charity. ~ Albert Camus
I have to admit that when I first read this quote it seemed odd to me.
It sounds like Mr. Camus thinks less of charity than generosity.
I find it interesting that he found it necessary to distinguish between the two.
In an effort to understand the difference, I looked up the definition of both words.
These definitions seem to suggest that generosity is an act of giving regardless of the existence of need.
And charity is focussed on bringing relief to the poor.
Generosity is giving because it brings joy.
Charity is a compassionate response motivated by love and a desire to improve someone’s condition.
Perhaps one could even say that generosity is more spontaneous and fun – a way to surprise someone.
And charity is more thoughtful and planned – a way for the ‘haves’ to ease the discomfort of the ‘have nots.’
Is generosity more freely given?
Is charity motivated by a sense of duty?
Or is the line more fuzzy than clear?
~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~
What do you think?
Would you say that you are generous or charitable?
talktodiana 
Interesting question! I had to think about it for a while (and, like you, I started by pondering the dictionary definitions). There does seem to be some fuzz in line between them. The second dictionary definition of charity says, “In general, an attitude of kindness and understanding towards others, now especially suggesting generosity.”
I think for me, generous is the more inclusive idea, a large concept. Consider the phrases, “Thank you for your generous words,” and, “He was built along generous proportions.” Generous means large. Your charitable giving can be generous or stingy. You can be generous even if you have very little. An odd thing about people is that often it’s the have-nots who are most known for their generosity. Seems like often the haves are stingy.
Charity seems to me a specific concept involving the haves providing in some fashion for the have-nots, and as some have already noted, there can be an odd negative aspect to receiving or giving charity that isn’t present with generosity. I don’t mean to imply charity is bad, just that there is some odd freight that seems to come along with it. Generosity seems the “purer” concept.
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Yes I don’t think I would have ever given these words a second thought had I not read the quote that inspired the post!
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The cool part is that it caused you to go investigate it. That’s an approach I wish everyone followed frequently.
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🙂
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Well…..Ms. Birthday Girl…..this is a real thinker, indeed! All I know to do is go with my gut. 9.5 times outta 10 it’s been right.
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🙂
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Interesting distinction. I think you can practice generosity in charity. Charity could involve greater generosity (since we’re in the business of making comparisons). I’m thinking of people who make it their life’s work to make life better for others because they have a deep passion about social injustice. Often, these are people who are not in your natural social circle and you have to learn new skills, go to new places, re-learn your ways of thinking, destroy prejudices and assumptions.
I guess what I’m saying is, both are admirable, the most important is probably the intentionality behind it – generosity could be self-serving and pompous!
Wooo look at me, pontificating like I know anything! It’s really got me thinking though 😉
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Yeah I think the line is quite fuzzy!! Thanks for weighing in.
xo
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I think that you can be generous in charitable giving – when you let yourself be moved or connected to those who benefit from the charity. I have been moved to give more when I have a real connection.
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Yes, the line is fuzzy. I wonder if having a real connection is akin to community? Thanks for weighing in Lorri.
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I am very generous … love to give to my friends and people I know and care about. Sadly I sometimes forget about charity. I do give but it seems to need more thought on my part … but then maybe it’s because my generous nature lures me into thinking I ave been charitable.
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so complicated eh? I’m sure you enrich the life of every person you meet!
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The use of the word charity has changed too. As I’m sure you know, it is interchangeable with one kind of love mentioned in the Bible. This kind of charity would be generous as it was given out of care and concern for someone else. Not because one was better than the other, but because they were, sort of, “all in this together.”
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Ahh yes, what I like to call community. 🙂
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I wonder if the use and meaning of the word charity has changed since Camus wrote that. When I think back to I what I’ve read going back a bit, charity was something people were “too proud” to accept – bringing up pity as Ruby said. But also, it was a duty. It wasn’t particularly generous of someone to give charity – it was what they were supposed to do.
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And often had that “US and THEM” feel, didn’t it?
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I like to think I’m a bit of both.. remembering that charity and generosity are not always the giving of money… time and friendship count as well… one can give generously of your time to a good cause as well as being charitable to those that suffer…
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Absolutely – thanks for the reminder!
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Very interesting distinction. From the definitions, I think I try to be generous, but in being generous, I suppose I am also charitable when I can be…miss you! And sounds like birthday wishes are in order so happy birthday!!!
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Have missed you too! Thanks for checking in and for your birthday wishes!
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I think I’m a bit of both.
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I wonder if most people are…
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I would believe so!
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Hi Diana. My finger was hovering over the like button on your post when I saw that you liked mine! LOL
Generosity, to me, conjures a want to help, whereas charity makes me think of a duty to do so. I know that seems to be the consensus here. Interesting post! And belated birthday greetings, friend. xo
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Thank you for sharing your thoughts Jen! And for your birthday wishes – I had an awesome 50th birthday and will share some highlights in my next post.
xo
Diana
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Yes a bit of both thought generosity resonates more with me
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Generosity does feel less like ‘us and them’ or ‘I’ will help ‘you’ out of your situation, doesn’t it? But I think charity can also mean ‘because it’s the right thing to do.’ What do you think?
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Agree absolutely with both. 🙂
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I practice chairerosity. Hope you had a great birthday!
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Oh Bill I had so much fun! Funny I had you pegged as generitable!
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I hope you share some details.
The best thing about practicing chairerosity is I never have to give money, I just stand up for little old ladies on the bus and give them my seat!
🙂
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Awww you know…I can see you doing that!
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I consider myself a chairman 🙂
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Oh punny! I hope six puns catches wind of this! 😉
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I always have my silly hat.
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Watch out for ‘hat hair’!
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you mean like the mad hat hair ?
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haha I love talking in circles with you Bill until I don’t even know what I mean anymore! 😛
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yes, it’s fun to have fun. I enjoy it too. In real life my wife and kids give me “that look” which means enough 🙂
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Ha! I bet they do!
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I hope a bit of both! Interesting debate.
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Yes, that would be ideal. 🙂
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Generosity always sounded better to me, giving things out cos you really want to help someone. Charity automatically brings the word “pity” in my mind. So pity again follows the phrase “i feel sorry for you” and by default it gives a bad taste on the word charity.
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Thanks for weighing in Ruby! I feel like the lines might be a bit fuzzy…but I lean toward generosity myself.
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What an interesting question. I think I am more generous than charitable but not sure!
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Isn’t it? Before reading that quote I hadn’t felt a need to distinguish between them.
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