“’Tis not enough to give; Methinks, I could deal kingdoms to my friends, And ne'er be weary. Alcibiades, Thou art a soldier, therefore seldom rich; It comes in charity to thee: for all thy living Is 'mongst the dead, and all the lands thou hast Lie in a pitch'd field.” Timon of Athens, Act I, Scene 2. Timon tell the lords and senators at a great banquet, he holds them all and their many visits so dear to his heart, but there is not enough to give. He could deal kingdoms to his friends, and never tire of it. He tells Alcibiades, you are a soldier, and therefore will never be rich. To give to you would be genuine charity, because you live among the dead, and all the lands you have are in the battlefield. Alcibiades replies "Ay, defiled land, my lord" meaning, with irony, that his "pitched" fields are not just tainted with death (pitched means standing in a row, i.e., troops), but tainted because the rich people at the party paid for them. This is a pun on the word pitched from Ecclesiasticus 13:1. search: meaning of "'tis not enough to give" from timon of athens? AI Overview Learn more In Shakespeare's "Timon of Athens," the phrase "'tis not enough to give" means that simply giving money or gifts to someone is not sufficient to create a genuine bond or friendship; it implies that true connection requires more than just material generosity, often suggesting the need for loyalty, understanding, and genuine care as well. Key points about this line: Timon's character: Timon is a wealthy Athenian who lavishly gives to those around him, but when he falls on hard times, he discovers that these "friends" were only interested in his wealth, not him. Social critique: This line reflects Shakespeare's commentary on the superficial nature of social relationships where people only value others based on their material possessions. Deeper meaning: "Giving" can be interpreted not just as giving money, but also as giving time, attention, and emotional support.
