Is It True that it is worse to Give than to receive?

I refer to the NST article dated 2nd may 2010.

I beg to differ with the writer's opinion that it is worse to give than to receive.For them to conclude such an opinion confirms their ignorance of the subject matter they are discussing.
One should understand that no one in his right mind would be foolish enough to part with his hard earned money if given the choice. To imply that the giver is such a willing participant to give a bribe is a reflection of the MACC ignorance of the reasons why people are forced to give bribes.
Just put yourself in the position of the giver and ask yourself why you want to give the bribe.The answer is simple. The person taking the bribe in most instances are making life so difficult that you really have no choice but to give. When your livelihood is involved there is really no choice but to give unless you are prepared to call it a day and closed shop so that you can avoid giving to the person seeking a bribe.

One businessman, a friend of mine made four applications to the State govt for a Quarry licence to operate on his own private land which had vast quantities of quarry. On each occassion his application was rejected by the State Exco without any reasons being given. On further enquiries he was told that his application would not be approved unless he greased the politicians in the State Excos. Left with no recourse, he did just that and paid the politicians in charge of the approval and presto his application was approved in the next exco sitting.

Without giving the bribe his application was in limbo and there was no hope of him getting a licence to operate or do business . A corrupt free govt would have given him a licence freely and willingly because it would have brought additonal revenue to the state. Instead he was forced to part with 100k to the politicians who said it was for a political donation. Can someone now tell me that it is worse for the giver to give than the receiver to receive in such an instance?