A dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

It is BETTER to give than to receive
The AV form is also used (see quot. 2001): ACTS xx. 35 It is more blessed to give, than to receive.

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  c 1390 GOWER Confessio Amantis v. 7725 Betre is to yive than to take. c 1527 T. BERTHELET tr. Erasmus’ Sayings of Wise Men B2 It is better to gyue than to take, for he that takethe a gyfte of another is bonde to quyte [repay] it, so that his lyberte is gone. 1710 S. PALMER Proverbs 351 ‘Tis better to Give than to Receive, but yet ‘tis Madness to give so much Charity to Others, as to become the Subject of it our Selves. 1980 Times (Christmas Supplement) 15 Nov. p. i. There is no harm in reminding your relatives and friends that it is better to give than to receive. 2001 Washington Times 2 July B9 (Herb & Jamaal comic strip)’Herb, you know the old saying: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” ‘ ‘What, presents?’ ‘No, advice.’ "giving and receiving
  

BETTER to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all

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  1700 CONGREVE Way of World II. i. Say what you will, ‘tis better to be left, than never to have lov’d. 1812 G. CRABBE Tales xiv. Better to love amiss than nothing to have lov’d. 1850 TENNYSON In Memoriam xxvii. 44 ‘Tis better to have loved and lost Than never to have loved at all. 1953 B. PYM Jane & Prudence i. One wondered if it was really better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all, when poor Prudence seemed to have lost so many times. 2002 Times 2 15 Oct. 9 That cliche, it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all, applies to me. "love, blighted
  

BETTER to light one candle than to curse the darkness
The motto of the American Christopher Society (founded 1945), said by the society to derive from ‘an ancient Chinese proverb’.

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