“If you have to ‘give back,’ maybe you took too much in the first place.”

I heard someone say that recently. I don’t remember the context but I really liked the sentiment.

This whole concept of “giving back”—it kind of implies a certain arrogance. It suggests that everything we’ve received comes from our own hard work, and that we are deserving of whatever wealth or status we hold.

I don’t wish to overstate this critique or go on some sort of campaign against people who use those words. I’ve used them before too, and I think they’re in the biographical section f...