No one has ever become poor by giving.

Anne Frank wrote this sentiment in her diary while in hiding in the Secret Annex in Amsterdam during the Nazi occupation. In that confined, fearful setting—dependent on helpers for food, news, and survival—she repeatedly reflected on human goodness and the moral importance of generosity. The line appears among her meditations on how one can still act meaningfully even when circumstances are bleak, emphasizing that giving (time, care, help) remains possible despite material scarcity. It is part of her broader effort to hold onto ethical ideals and hope while living under persecution and uncertainty.

The quote argues that generosity is not a true loss: giving does not make a person “poor” in the deepest sense, because it can enrich character, relationships, and a sense of purpose. It also implies that the fear of scarcity—of having “less”—should not prevent acts of kindness. In the context of Anne Frank’s wartime confinement, the statement carries added weight: when material security is already threatened, the value of moral and emotional wealth becomes more visible. The line frames giving as a form of resilience and a way to affirm humanity amid dehumanizing conditions.

“No one has ever become poor from giving.”
“No one has ever become poor by giving to others.”
“No one has ever become poor by giving away.”