🥖 Cast One’s Bread Upon The Waters: An Investment In Kindness 🌊
🌍 Definition: “Cast one’s bread upon the waters” means to invest one’s time, money, or effort without expecting an immediate return. Ancient wisdom suggests that such acts of generosity will eventually bear fruit in unexpected ways.
🌿 Origin: This proverb traces back to the Book of Ecclesiastes (11:1): “Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.” It emphasizes giving generously with the faith that one day, rewards will follow.
✍️ Modern Take: Elbert Hubbard, in his Book of Epigrams (1911), whimsically enhanced this idea: “Cast your bread upon the waters and it will come back to you—buttered.”
Synonyms & Similar Proverbs:
- Pay it forward: Performing an act of kindness without expecting anything in return.
- Good things come to those who wait: Patience and perseverance will lead to positive outcomes.
- A kind deed is never lost: Suggests the permanence of a good act.
- What goes around comes around: Implies that your actions, good or bad, will eventually come back to you.
Antonyms:
- Looking out for number one: Prioritizing one’s own needs over others’.
- Quick returns: Expecting immediate results for efforts made.
- Scratching the surface: Engaging superficially, without deep commitment.
Witty Quotes:
- “The bread you cast upon the waters today will be your toast spirit balm tomorrow.” – Anonymous Toastmaster
- “Give freely, for generosity is the yeast that makes life’s bread rise.” – Grainne Flourchild
Suggested Literature, Books, & Media:
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Books:
- Ecclesiastes (The Bible) – A book filled with life wisdom.
- The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman – Understanding generosity in relationships.
- The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein – A tale of selflessness and unconditional giving.
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Songs:
- 🎵 “Kind and Generous” by Natalie Merchant – A heartfelt tribute to gratitude.
- 🎵 “Give a Little Bit” by Supertramp – An encouraging anthem about the power of giving.
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Movies:
- 🎬 Pay It Forward (2000) – A moving drama about the ripple effects of generosity.
- 🎬 Forrest Gump (1994) – A story where sweet, indiscriminate kindness introduces a series of unexpected returns.
Intriguing Quizzes 🎉
May your acts of kindness ripple through the waters of life and return to you buttered and heartwarming. 🌊🧡
— Maxwell Quipster
