This quote suggests that when a person leaves money to charity in their will, they are not truly giving away something of their own, as they no longer have a claim to it after their death. It implies a critique of the idea that such an act is a grand gesture of generosity, as the person will not actually experience any loss or sacrifice, which are usually associated with the act of giving. Instead, they are merely deciding the destination of their assets after they are gone.
This quote can be seen as a challenge to reconsider our perceptions of generosity and charity. It could be seen as a call to be more generous while we are still alive, when giving does require sacrifice and thus may have more moral or ethical weight. It also might be interpreted as a critique of societies where wealth is hoarded until death, instead of being used for the greater good while it could make a more immediate impact.
In today’s world, this idea could be applied in discussions about wealth distribution and philanthropy. For instance, it could be used to argue that billionaires who pledge to give away the majority of their wealth in their wills are not necessarily as generous as they seem, as they still enjoy their wealth during their lifetime. In the realm of personal development, it could inspire people to be more proactive in their giving, to share their resources with others while they are still alive to see the benefits of their generosity.