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About this quote

What does it mean?
Empowering people to help themselves is more valuable than direct charity.
In plain terms
Helping people help themselves is better than just giving money.
What can you take from it?
Teach skills instead of just giving aid.

Where it applies

  • education
  • community support
  • mentorship

Putting it to work

  • teach skills
  • encourage independence

Questions to consider

  • How can you empower others?
  • Is giving always good?

Another view

Immediate aid is sometimes necessary in emergencies.

More from Henry Ford

  1. Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason why so few engage in it.

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  2. Under pressure, the mouth speaks when the brain is disengaged, and, sometimes unwittingly, the gearshift is in reverse when it should be in neutral.

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  3. There is one rule for the industrialist and that is: Make the best quality of goods possible at the lowest cost possible, paying the highest wages possible.

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