I’m sure you have heard of the concept of “pay it forward”. The idea is to repay an act of kindness by a similar act of kindness to another unrelated person in need at some future time. It dovetails nicely with the “Threefold Law”, and is something I have always tried to do, even before I ever heard of either concept. Then there is the Golden Rule I was taught as an infant.
But do you know where the specific “pay it forward” concept originated? Probably not where you think. Neither the movie nor the the book by that name was the original source.
The earliest reference to the actual phrase “pay it forward” of which I am aware is in a book by Robert Heinlein titled Between Planets, originally published in 1951.
At the (until recently named) Bank of America & Hongkong, at New London, Venus:
The banker reached into the folds of his gown, pulled out a single credit note. “But eat first — a full belly steadies the judgment. Do me the honor of accepting this as our welcome to the newcomer.”
His pride said no; his stomach said YES! Don took it and said, “Uh, thanks! That’s awfully kind of you. I’ll pay it back, first chance.”
“Instead, pay it forward to some other brother who needs it.” The banker touched a button on his desk, then stood up.
Don said goodbye and left.
The more I read Heinlein, the more I am drawn to his philosophy.
An Aging Trans Woman 
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