"Giving is better than receiving because giving starts the receiving process"
About this Quote
That’s the subtext doing the heavy lifting. The quote flatters the listener’s self-image (“I’m a giver”) while also appealing to their self-interest (“and I’ll get mine”). It’s the ethos of late-20th-century American self-improvement: altruism repackaged as ROI, gratitude turned into a growth tactic. Rohn’s wording neatly avoids the messy realities of giving - sacrifice, asymmetry, the possibility you won’t be repaid - by implying a reliable feedback loop. The universe becomes a closed circuit: output triggers input.
Context matters because Rohn operated in the motivational-business lane, speaking to people trying to climb: sales reps, entrepreneurs, anyone who wants a principle that feels both ethical and profitable. In that world, “giving” can mean networking favors, mentorship, value-add content, attentive service - behaviors that genuinely do create opportunities. The quote works because it’s half social truth and half wishful economics. Relationships do compound when you contribute first; reciprocity is real. But Rohn’s phrasing also smuggles in a warning: if you give only to trigger receiving, you’re not generous, you’re investing - and people can tell the difference.
Quote Details
| Topic | Kindness |
|---|---|
| Source | Help us find the source |
| Cite |
Citation Formats
APA Style (7th ed.)
Rohn, Jim. (2026, January 15). Giving is better than receiving because giving starts the receiving process. FixQuotes. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/giving-is-better-than-receiving-because-giving-27299/
Chicago Style
Rohn, Jim. "Giving is better than receiving because giving starts the receiving process." FixQuotes. January 15, 2026. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/giving-is-better-than-receiving-because-giving-27299/.
MLA Style (9th ed.)
"Giving is better than receiving because giving starts the receiving process." FixQuotes, 15 Jan. 2026, https://fixquotes.com/quotes/giving-is-better-than-receiving-because-giving-27299/. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.












