ProverbWisdom
Latin origin
Latin originHe giveth twice who gives in a trice.
Meaning: Quick generosity prevents the recipient's anxiety and disappointment, making one gift feel like two.
Often credited to: Publilius Syrus, whose Latin line was later polished into this form
Origin: The Roman writer Publilius Syrus wrote that he doubly helps the needy who gives quickly, and the Latin was later polished into bis dat qui cito dat — he gives twice who gives quickly. Francis Bacon quoted it in 1617. A prompt gift is worth double a slow one.
Equivalents in French, Spanish, German, Russian, and Polish
French: Qui tôt donne, deux fois donne (literally: He gives twice who gives in a trice)
Spanish: Quien da presto, da dos veces (literally: He gives twice who gives in a trice)
German: Wer schnell gibt, gibt doppelt (literally: He who gives quickly gives double)
Russian: Дорого яичко ко Христову дню (Dorogo yaichko ko Khristovu dnyu) (literally: An egg is precious on Easter Day)
Polish: Dwa razy daje, kto prędko daje (literally: Who gives quickly gives twice)
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