“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.”
- June 21, 1905 – April 15, 1980
- Born in France
- Philosopher, novelist, playwright
- He advocated existentialism and had a major influence on 20th century thought through works such as “Being and Nothingness” and “Nausea”
Quote
“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.”
Explanation
In this quote, Sartre presents a paradoxical view of generosity, suggesting that what appears to be an act of selflessness is, in fact, an expression of self-interest and a desire to possess. Sartre argues that when we give something away, we don’t do so purely out of altruism; instead, we derive a deeper satisfaction from the act of giving. In this sense, generosity becomes a way of possessing the object in a higher manner—because the act of giving allows us to experience it not only as an external possession but also as an emotional or psychological enjoyment.
Sartre’s existentialism frequently examines the tension between freedom and self-interest. In this view, even acts that seem to transcend egoistic desires, like generosity, still reflect the individual’s freedom and the need to assert control over their environment or others. By giving something away, we do not truly lose it but instead transform our relationship with it, enjoying it in a more abstract or psychological sense. The act of giving becomes a means of maintaining control over the object in a different form, making the giver feel empowered or fulfilled by the act of possession in a new guise.
In modern contexts, this quote challenges conventional notions of selflessness and altruism. It prompts us to reflect on how even generosity can sometimes be driven by an unconscious need for recognition, control, or self-satisfaction. Sartre’s insight suggests that we might be motivated not only by a desire to help others but by the psychological reward we gain through giving. It encourages deeper self-awareness, questioning whether our acts of giving are truly motivated by a desire to help others or whether they are, in some sense, forms of self-possession. The quote invites us to recognize that generosity is not just an external action but also a deeply personal experience, shaped by the emotional and psychological satisfaction we gain from giving.
