The manner of giving is worth more than the gift.

The saying contrasts material value with moral and social value: what matters most is not the size of a gift but the spirit in which it is offered. “Manner” points to intention, tact, respect, and empathy—the relational qualities that make giving either generous or humiliating. The line also implies that gifts can carry power: a lavish present given to display superiority may be less “worth” than a modest one offered with genuine care. In a broader ethical sense, it elevates character over possessions, suggesting that generosity is measured by the giver’s disposition and the recipient’s experience rather than by price or prestige.