Definitions HQ

Charity (n.) is ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠the most blessed double action: serving another man and, by the same act, serving God.

Charity (n.) such ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠as prison visits or feeding the poor can be done unlovingly, even out of self-love, and then these works of love are in vain.

Charity (n.) is ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠a narrow word for a few acts; in heaven no act pleases at all unless it is an act of love.

Charity (n.) feeds ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠the hungry and builds institutions, but never invites the heavy laden to come and live with it — for then one's whole household would have to change.

Charity (n.) that ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠gives a portion makes people happy; giving it all away brings a collision — and renouncing every advantage to preach Christianity draws scorn.

Charity (n.) wanders ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠far afield in the unmarried philanthropist, from house to house seeking its deepest expression; the married man finds it in his own house, with the greater bliss that he remains without merit.