Generosity is nothing else than a craze to possess. All which I abandon, all which I give, I enjoy in a higher manner through the fact that I give it away. To give is to enjoy possessively the object which one gives.

Summary

This quote suggests that generosity stems from a desire to possess something, rather than selflessness. It argues that when we give or abandon something, we actually derive a greater satisfaction by possessing it in the act of giving. In other words, giving allows us to enjoy and retain control over the object we give away. This perspective challenges the conventional notion of generosity as an entirely selfless act, highlighting the complex and often contradictory human motivations behind it.

Topics