Giving & Taking

If one wants not only to remove all negativity from actions, feelings, and thoughts, but also to build for himself a world of purity and goodness, he must first of all think deeply: what is the purpose of a person in his world? He must think about what builds him and what destroys him. Giving is the root of building, while taking is the root of destruction. Once this has become clear to a person, and he contemplates the concepts and sees their truth, he must make a deep commitment in life. Is he ready to devote his life to giving, or will he surrender to his material part and look to take?

(Rabbi Itamar Schwartz)