Serve a noble disposition, though poore, the time comes that hee will repay thee.

Serve a noble disposition, though poore, the time comes that hee will repay thee.

George Herbert

This quote, “Serve a noble disposition, though poore, the time comes that hee will repay thee,” is an encouragement to value character over wealth. It suggests that serving or helping someone who may be poor but has a noble character will eventually yield rewards.

The phrase ‘noble disposition’ refers to someone who possesses admirable qualities such as honesty, integrity, kindness and generosity. The speaker is urging us not to overlook these individuals simply because they are lacking in material wealth (‘though poore’). The sentiment expressed here is one of delayed gratification – the idea that even if you don’t see immediate returns from your actions (‘the time comes’), you should still act in ways consistent with your values and principles because ultimately those actions will be rewarded (‘he will repay thee’).

Applying this concept in today’s world might involve investing time and energy into relationships with people based on their character rather than their financial status or what they can offer you materially. It could also mean lending support to those less fortunate without expectation of immediate return.

In terms of personal development, it encourages us to focus on building our own noble dispositions – cultivating virtues such as patience, kindness and generosity – rather than chasing after material wealth. This perspective promotes the belief that true success lies not in what we accumulate but in who we become as people.

Furthermore, this quote could also be interpreted as an encouragement for altruistic behavior. Helping others without expecting anything in return can lead to personal growth and satisfaction which is its own form of repayment.

it highlights the importance of patience; rewards may not come immediately but when they do arrive they are often more valuable because they have been earned through virtue and perseverance rather than purchased with money.

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