Cf. [Publilius Syrus Sententia ccxxxv.] inopi beneficium bis dat, qui dat celeriter, he gives twice who gives quickly to the needy; mid 14th-cent. Fr. qui tost donne, deus fois donne. Also [c 1385 Chaucer Legend of Good Women Prologue l. 451] For whoso yeveth a yifte, or dooth a grace. Do it by tyme [in good time], his thanks ys wel the more. The Latin bis dat qui cito dat is perhaps better known than the Publilius Syrus version, and was quoted in this form by Francis Bacon in a speech on 17 May 1617, upon taking his seat as Keeper of the Great Seal.
He geueth twise, that geueth sone and chearefully.
[1553 T. Wilson Art of Rhetoric 65V]
It is an old proverbe, that hee that gives quickly, gives twice.
[1612 T. Shelton tr. Cervantes' Don Quixote i. iv.]
I did really ask the favour twice; but you have been even with me by granting it so speedily. Bis dat qui cito dat.
[1775 J. Boswell Life of Johnson I. 443]
‘He gives twice who gives quickly.’‥We have everything to gain by generous action at once.
[1980 Times 17 Oct. 13]
Related to: charity; giving and receiving
Bibliography of major proverb collections and works cited from modern editions is available here.
