Charity begins at home

Relevance of the proverb:

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  Countering hypocrisy. We are hypocrites if we claim to care about global problems whilst neglecting our own family.
  
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  Family life. This proverb reflects the importance of family life.
  
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  Marriages and romantic relationships: We should always be a rock of support to our partners.
  
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  Kindness to all. This saying means that we must be kind to all people, near and far.
  
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  Definition of charity. The definition of charity in this proverb is wider than simply giving money to charity.
  
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  Neighborliness. Neighborliness helps to keep communities together. Remembering this proverb will help us to be a good neighbor.
  
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  Moving outwards: The love we practice at home can spread outwards into the wider world.
  

Arguments against the proverb: Some people have debated the validity of this proverb. They have argued that it is easier to empathize with our family. Moreover, kind deeds done to people we know are more likely to be repaid.
It is more moral, one argument goes, to help a stranger whom one has never met. That stranger will perhaps never meet us, or be able to repay us.
However, a balance can be struck. It can be argued that we should help all people: both near and far.