There Are Four [Character] Types Among Men: He Who Says, "What Is Mine Is Yours, And What Is Yours Is Mine" Is An Ignoramus. [He Who Says,] "What Is Mine Is Mine, And What Is Yours Is Yours" This Is A Median Characteristic; Some Say This Is The Characteristic Of [The People Of] Sodom. [He Who Says,] "What Is Mine Is Yours, And What Is Yours Is Yours" Is Pious. And [He Who Says,] "What Is Yours Is Mine, And What Is Mine Is Mine" Is Wicked.

[He Who Says,] "What Is Mine Is Yours, And What Is Yours Is Yours," Is Pious

The mishnah is talking about a person who may not have the financial means to give generously. Nevertheless, while giving the little he can, he bolsters the spirits of the poor person[50] by explaining that even the little which he himself owns belongs equally to the poor man.

This attitude is sufficient to have him termed pious.

(Sichos Motzoei Shabbos Parshas Re'eh, 5739)

[He Who Says,] "What Is Yours Is Mine, And What Is Mine Is Mine," Is Wicked

As mentioned several times, Pirkei Avos concerns mili dechassidusa - pious conduct beyond the measure of the law. Why should a wicked man who says "What is yours is mine" be mentioned at all in such a text?

It can be explained that such a person merely says "What is yours is mine..."; in practice, he gives and even gives generously. Nevertheless, from the perspective of mili dechassidusa, since he frequently makes such statements, belittling the poor who receive his generosity, he is considered wicked.

(Ibid.)

   

Notes:

50. (Back to text) See Bava Basra 9b, which states that a person who does not have the means to give charity should endeavor to lift the spirits of a poor person who asks for a gift.