generous

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Eileen Opiolka
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generous

Postby Eileen Opiolka » Thu May 07, 2015 3:28 am

a simple word whose change in meaning is interesting. It was when I realised how generous people can be that the word itself caught my attention.
Eileen

Perry Lassiter
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Re: generous

Postby Perry Lassiter » Fri May 08, 2015 8:57 pm

What was the previous meaning?
pl

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Slava
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Re: generous

Postby Slava » Fri May 08, 2015 9:19 pm

It once meant "of noble birth." The nobility being filthy rich and privileged, they could afford to be magnanimous, that is to say generous. At least that's my take on the idea.
Life is like playing chess with chessmen who each have thoughts and feelings and motives of their own.

Eileen Opiolka
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Re: generous

Postby Eileen Opiolka » Sat May 09, 2015 4:27 am

Mine too. I suppose it depends on how you understand wealth.
Generosity with time, knowledge, care etc. has never been exclusive to the rich. Thank goodness.

eberntson
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Re: generous

Postby eberntson » Fri May 15, 2015 10:45 am

it is closely related to the concept of "noblesse oblige", where generosity is a requirement of the nobility. A responsibility of privileged (rich) people to act with generosity and nobility toward those less privileged.
EBERNTSON
Fear less, hope more;
eat less, chew more;
whine less, breathe more;
talk less, say more,
and all good things will be yours.
--R. Burns


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