Ayn Rand was definitely not suggesting to do as the robbers in Luke 10:30. If the Samaritan did not respect himself as a person, he would have had nothing to give.
The poor you will have with you always.
RE: "Ayn Rand was definitely not suggesting to do as the robbers in Luke 10:30. If the Samaritan did not respect himself as a person, he would have had nothing to give."
Good point, nano, but I believe that at some point in the Objectivist philosophy that I have read, Rand jumps the rails a bit on this one, taking the wonderful and desirable concepts of individuality and creativity to almost absurd links. The hero of Atlas Shrugged (it's been years since I read it, and I can't remember his name) for instance comes off in the end as not so much principled and individualistic as bullheaded and egotistical. I don't think she really understood that there are limits one must place on your self-confidence if you are to help others as Christ commanded you to, and that after you get your own house in order it is beneficial to your life and to your spirit (soul) to actively (quietly) SEEK to help others do the same that you have done.
RE: "The poor you will have with you always."
A sorrowfully unfortunate but absolutely true fact of life in this world of ours-- this world that inspires me to unbridled joy and hideous revulsion in nearly equal measures.