It is so easy to give, so exquisitely rewarding.

John Steinbeck

John Steinbeck was a master of the moral philosophizing that defined his work. In this line from his travel journal “The Log From the Sea of Cortez,” he illustrated the simple joy of giving to others — whether it be time, or gifts, to friends, family, or charity. But this quote also considers what it takes to be able to receive. Receiving, Steinbeck argued, is the more vulnerable act, one that “requires humility and tact and great understanding of relationships.” To give, on the other hand, can be done without these burdens; it should be done freely, generously, and genuinely.