If you are poor, distinguish yourself by your virtues; if rich, by your good deeds.

Whatever your circumstances, what you are known for is not fixed by them. Having little makes nobody less, and the conduct available to anyone, honesty, steadiness, keeping your word, is genuinely yours. Having a great deal adds an obligation that good conduct alone does not discharge, since money makes certain help possible and withholding it is a choice. Neither condition says anything about a person’s worth, and both raise the question of what you do from where you stand.

Work out what is actually in your power to give, which may be time, attention, skill or money. Give some of it this month without waiting to have more.