If you have much, give of your wealth; if you have little, give of your heart.

This saying is typically circulated in English as an “Arabic proverb,” reflecting a broader Arabic-Islamic ethical tradition that prizes generosity (karam) and mutual aid. As a proverb rather than a traceable authored sentence, it is usually encountered in modern collections of Middle Eastern/Arabic proverbs and in inspirational anthologies, often detached from a specific time, place, or speaker. Its framing—contrasting those with “much” and those with “little”—fits common proverbial instruction aimed at everyday social life: the wealthy are urged to give materially, while those without means are reminded that kindness, attention, and sincere care are also forms of giving that sustain community bonds.

The proverb contrasts two kinds of generosity: material giving and emotional or moral giving. If one is affluent, the ethical demand is to share resources; if one is poor, one can still give through kindness, empathy, time, and sincere care—“of your heart.” The underlying claim is egalitarian: everyone can practice charity, and the value of giving is not reducible to the size of the gift. It also implies proportional responsibility: greater means entail greater obligation, while limited means do not excuse one from benevolence. The line thus reframes charity as a disposition and a social duty, not merely a financial act.