Begging Quote by George Stevens
“When a poor man, hungry and unseeing because his eyesight is failing, grabs me and starts begging, I feel the Nazi in myself. I abhor this man, and I want him to keep his hands off me.”
About This Quote
Source Film: The Diary of Anne Frank, 1959
Seeing poverty triggers a hostile self‑reaction, revealing inner cruelty that mirrors oppressive ideologies.
In simple terms: Poverty makes me angry and defensive.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and temper selfish impulses.
Themes
empathy
self‑awareness
social justice
Mood
conflicted
reflective
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- street begging
- personal reflection
- social work
Key Concepts
human nature
moral conflict
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does personal discomfort affect my view of the needy?
- What inner biases surface when confronting poverty?
A Different Perspective
The feeling may stem from fear of vulnerability rather than true hatred.
