benevolence

Noun

Meaning

The disposition to do good; good will; charitableness; love of mankind, accompanied with a desire to promote their happiness.

An act of kindness; good done; charity given.

A species of compulsory contribution or tax, which has sometimes been illegally exacted by arbitrary kings of England, and falsely represented as a gratuity.

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Phrases with the word

Examples

Government is either organized benevolence or organized madness; its peculiar magnitude permits no shading. John Updike

It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest. Adam Smith

In the actual state of social relationships, the forms ("formes", Fr.) of politeness are necessary as a subsitute to benevolence. African Spir

Benevolence is the characteristic element of humanity. Confucius

Every soul, the philosopher says, is involuntarily deprived of truth; consequently in the same way it is deprived of justice and temperance and benevolence and everything of the kind. It is most necessary to keep this in mind, for thus thou wilt be more gentle towards all. Marcus Aurelius

Ingratitude sickens benevolence. German Proverb

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