Wealth (1889)
Andrew Carnegie
In bestowing charity, the main consideration should be to help those who will help themselves; to provide part of the means by which those who desire to improve may do so; . . . Neither the individual nor the race is improved by almsgiving.
Individualism will continue, but the millionaire will be but a trustee for the poor; entrusted for a season with a great part of the increased wealth of the community, but administering it for the community far better than it could or would have done for itself. The best minds will thus have reached a stage in the development of the race in which it is clearly seen that there is no mode of disposing of surplus wealth . . . save by using it year by year for the general good.
-Carnegie's idea that "those who can will help themselves" best describes the late nineteenth century idea of

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Carnegie's belief in helping those who can help themselves aligns with the principles of social Darwinism, which emphasized individualism and competition as the means for social progress. This was a prevalent idea in the late nineteenth century.

Wealth (1889) Andrew Carnegie