True, noble, disinterested benevolence is too rarely found among the wealthy. In their ambition for wealth they overlook the claims of humanity. They cannot see and feel the cramped, disagreeable position of their brethren in poverty, who perhaps have labored as hard as themselves. Like Cain they say: “Am I my brother’s keeper?” “I have worked hard for what I have; I must hold on to it.” Instead of praying, “Help me to feel my brother’s woe,” their constant study is to forget that he has any woes, any claims upon their sympathy or liberalities. {1T 480.1}

Sand, ædel og loyal godgørenhed findes kun sjældent blandt velhavende. I deres iver efter at få rigdom overser de menneskers krav. De ser eller mærker ikke deres fattigere brødres trange og ubehagelige kår, som måske har arbejdet lige så hårdt som de selv har. De siger lige som Kain: »Skal jeg vogte min broder?« "Jeg har arbejdet hårdt for det jeg har, jeg må passe på det." I stedet for at bede, "hjælp mig til at mærke min smerte", forsøger de hele tiden at glemme at han har smerter og krav på deres medlidenhed eller gavmildhed.