The philanthropic tradition is older than democracy, older than Christianity, and older than higher education. It gives form and purpose to personal and social life that cannot be provided by the self-interest of economic enterprise or required by the mandate of political institutions.

Do we live for or do we live off philanthropy?

Philanthropy is the principal social institution that provides instruction in voluntary service.

The philanthropic tradition is older than democracy, older than Christianity, and older than higher education. It gives form and purpose to personal and social life that cannot be provided by the self-interest of economic enterprise or required by the mandate of political institutions.

We cannot preserve philanthropic and charitable values if we detach them completely from our fundamental personal beliefs and convictions.

American philanthropic custom owes much to leadership by business and professional people.

Philanthropy is an important subject of liberal education because it examines the role of good works in shaping our conceptions of the good society and the good life.