If I knew for a certainty that a man was coming to my…
““If I knew for a certainty that a man was coming to my house with the conscious design of doing me good, I should run for my life, as from that dry and parching wind of the African deserts called the simoom, which fills the mouth and nose and ears and eyes with dust till you are suffocated, for fear that I should get some of his good done to me,—some of its virus mingled with my blood. No,—in this case I would rather suffer evil the natural way. A man is not a good man to me because he will feed me if I should be starving, or warm me if I should be freezing, or pull me out of a ditch if I should ever fall into one. I can find you a Newfoundland dog that will do as much.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Skepticism toward altruism when it feels forced or harmful, preferring natural consequences.
In simple terms: Beware forced kindness; natural outcomes matter.
Key Takeaway
Trust natural order over imposed help.
Themes
skepticism
self-reliance
trust
Mood
cautious
philosophical
Type
ethical
reflective
When to use this quote
- personal health
- social interactions
- ethical decisions
Key Concepts
philosophy
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- When is help truly beneficial?
- How to balance caution with compassion?
A Different Perspective
Overlooks genuine altruism.