"In some sense the most benevolent, generous person in the world

seek his own happiness in doing good to others,

because he places his happiness in their good.

His mind is so enlarged as to take them, as it were, into himself.

Thus when they are happy, he feels it;

he partakes with them, and is happy in their happiness.

This is so far from being inconsistent with the freeness of beneficence,

that, on the contrary free benevolence and kindness consists of it."

{Religious Affections by Jonathan Edwards}