“When you give a man a dole, you deny him his dignity, and when you deny him his dignity you rob him of his destiny.”

“When an individual is protesting society's refusal to acknowledge his dignity as a human being, his very act of protest confers dignity on him.”

Bayard Rustin (1912–1987) American civil rights activist and gay rights activist

“If a man has sinned and denies it, saying: 'I have not sinned,' do not reprimand him; for that will discourage him.
But say to him, 'Do not lose heart, brother, but be on guard in future,' and you will stir his soul to repentance.”

Poemen (340–450) Egyptian monk and desert father

“Give a bowl of rice to a man and you will feed him for a day. Teach him how to grow his own rice and you will save his life.”

Confucius (-551–-479 BC) Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher

“Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.”

Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish writer and poet

“He who denies his due to the strong man armed grants him everything.”
Arma tenenti omnia dat, qui justa negat.

Marcus Annaeus Lucanus book Pharsalia

“On the contrary, there is something pleasing about his mouth when he
speaks. And there is something of dignity in the way his trousers cling to those most English parts
of him.”

Seth Grahame-Smith book Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

“Now remember this, when a man sticks his hand out to you, you shake it. Then kick him really hard when he's not looking.”

Bobby Heenan (1944–2017) American professional wrestler, professional wrestling commentator and manager

“But you must give him some sign, some sign that you love him… or he'll never be a man. All his life he'll feel guilty and alone unless you release him.”

John Steinbeck book East of Eden

“Before you criticize a man, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, when you do criticize him, you'll be a mile away and have his shoes.”

Steve Martin (1945) American actor, comedian, musician, author, playwright, and producer