Page:The Art of Helping People Out of Trouble (1924).pdf/174



the opposite pole of human nature from man's desire to think and act for himself is his tendency to thrust upon others the solution of his problems. In its insidious way this inclination to escape responsibility is as strong as his will to achieve his own salvation. It appears at every stage of life, from childhood to age, and, while it varies in intensity in different people, it is absent from no one.

Weakness and inability are its special opportunity. The strong man obviously is able to take care of himself, and is expected to do so. There is