Quotation by

Ivan Illich

The compulsion to do good is an innate American trait. Only North Americans seem to believe that they always should, may, and actually can choose somebody with whom to share their blessings. Ultimately this attitude leads to bombing people into the accept

Ivan Illich

Attitude

Understanding this quote AI Analysis

Illich is saying that Americans naturally feel they must help others and believe they have the right and ability to decide who deserves their help. This mindset can result in forcing their values or aid on others through aggressive means, like military intervention.

More by this author

All quotes by Ivan Illich →

More quotes about Attitude

See all →

Even when I'm playing someone named Fat Amy, I'm all about confidence and attitude.

An attitude of philosophic doubt, of suspended judgment, is repugnant to the natural man. Belief is an independent joy to him.

I can't believe the pro-choicers attitude toward unborn children-to me it's the ultimate liberal cause, to defend those without a voice.

The attitude of the actor is his interpretation of what he reads, and the written word is what creates the role in the actor's mind, and I guess in reading the things that were given to me, I reacted…

A discipline I have observed is an attitude of love and reverence to people.

My first feeling about the paper and the attitude is that it is absurd.