--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Under the best conditions, disasters and…" description: "\"“Under the best conditions, disasters and plagues did that. It wasn’t universally true. There would always be hoarders and price gouging, people who cl..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/671/james-s-a-corey-861_quote_under-the-best-conditions-disasters-and_1649378.jpg" --- # Under the best conditions, disasters and plagues did that… ![“Under the best conditions, disasters and plagues did that. It wasn’t universally true. There would always be hoarders and price gouging, people who closed their doors to refugees and left them freezing and starving. But the impulse to help was there too. To carry a burden together, even if it…” quote by James S.A. Corey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/671/james-s-a-corey-861_quote_under-the-best-conditions-disasters-and_1649378.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/671/james-s-a-corey-861_quote_under-the-best-conditions-disasters-and_1649378.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/671/james-s-a-corey-861_quote_under-the-best-conditions-disasters-and_1649378.jpg) > ““Under the best conditions, disasters and plagues did that. It wasn’t universally true. There would always be hoarders and price gouging, people who closed their doors to refugees and left them freezing and starving. But the impulse to help was there too. To carry a burden together, even if it meant having less for yourself.”” [James S.A. Corey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-s-a-corey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. In crises, selfishness and compassion coexist; people hoard but also share burdens. **In simple terms:** Both greed and generosity appear in disasters. Key Takeaway Balance self‑interest with helping others. Themes ethics crisis humanity Mood tense hopeful Type narrative philosophical When to use this quote - natural disasters - pandemics - refugee crises - economic shocks Key Concepts Altruism self‑preservation social solidarity Questions to Reflect On - How would you act if resources were scarce? - What motivates you to help? A Different Perspective Altruism can be limited by resources; not all help is equal. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Disasters Plagues](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disasters-plagues-635415/) [Gouging People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gouging-people-635417/) [Hoarders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hoarders-635416/) [Plagues Did](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plagues-did-635414/) [Refugees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/refugees/) ## Related quotes > [My dinner spot is usually in front of the TV. I'll grill a steak and whip up a salad and watch 'Hoarders'. I love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-fillion/my-dinner-spot-is-usually-in-front-of-the-tv-i-ll-grill-a-steak-and/) [Nathan Fillion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-fillion/) > ['Teen Moms!' I started watching them like the first two seasons, and I stopped. I stopped because they are too young. 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