Thinking about ethics and current events
(Began 1 April 2008)
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Quote of the Week - George MacDonald
"The part of philanthropist is indeed a dangerous one; and the man who would do his neighbour good must first study how not to do him evil, and must begun by pulling the beam out of his own eye."-- George MacDonald (Lillith, Chapter XIV)
A philanthropist who gives money -- or anything else of value -- to his less fortunate neighbor needs to keep in mind that a true philanthropist also must maintain a genuine love and empathy toward his neighbor's predicament.
Moreover, a true philanthropist does not consider himself to be superior to his neighbor because of his extensive wealth, but views his neighbor as being on an equal social pedestal with himself.
2 comments:
A philanthropist who gives money -- or anything else of value -- to his less fortunate neighbor needs to keep in mind that a true philanthropist also must maintain a genuine love and empathy toward his neighbor's predicament.
Moreover, a true philanthropist does not consider himself to be superior to his neighbor because of his extensive wealth, but views his neighbor as being on an equal social pedestal with himself.
Very true, George. Which goes to show that there are very few true philanthropists.
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