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The excerpt represents the core issue or deciding factor on which you must meditate, and is drawn from Lay Morals by Robert Louis Stevenson: which you do not need, which, in a rigid sense, you do not
want, may therefore be returned not only in public
benefactions to the race, but in private kindnesses. Your
wife, your children, your friends stand nearest to you, and
should be helped the first. There at least there can be
little imposture, for you know their necessities of your own
knowledge. And consider, if all the world did as you did,
and according to their means extended help in the circle of
their affections, there would be no more crying want in times
of plenty and no more cold, mechanical charity given with a
doubt and received with confusion. Would not this simple
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