What Does “charity begins at home” mean?
Definition:
Charity begins at home is a proverb. It means that, before deciding to take care of other people, one’s family should be one’s foremost concern.
Origin
Since ancient times, the term has been used in many ways in the English language.
Contrary to popular belief, the phrase “charity begins at home” did not originate in the Bible. But the idea that one should put one’s family as a priority has been mentioned in many instances in the bible:
“But if any provide not for his owne, & specially for those of his owne house, hee hath denied the faith, and is worse then an infidel.” 1 Timothy 5:8, King James Bible, 1611
And in the Quran:
“They ask you, (O Muhammad), what they shall spend. Say: That which you spend for good (must go) to parents and near kindred and orphans and the needy and the wayfarer. ” (2:215).
Sir Thomas Browne, in his book Religio Medici, published in 1642, was the first to use the idiom in its current form:
Charity begins at home, is the voice of the world: yet is every man his greatest enemy.
Example(s)
Take care of your children before volunteering in any association. Charity begins at home.
