A learned man who is poor has no way to assist other people by means of material wealth.
But when he meets a person who is confused and has lost his way in life, he should say the right words to open his eyes to the truth. When he meets a person who is struggling with difficulties, he should say the right words to solve his problems. This constitutes boundless beneficence.
士君子贫不能济物者，遇人痴迷处出一言提醒之，遇人急难处出一言解救之，亦是无量功德。
Notes
The essence of goodness lies in altruistic intention, transcending form. This passage from Caigen Tan(Tending the roots of wisdom) strips away the material trappings of ‘doing good,’ piercing to its core: True value resides in genuinely aiding others, not in the method of aid. The rich giving wealth practice goodness; the poor offering words equally embody it.
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