Reagan's Views on The Good Samaritan

The Greatest Communicator ^ | November 18, 2004 | Dick Wirthlin

[ElephantsForever]

"Once, Reagan and I were visiting in the Oval Office when he brought up the parable of the Good Samaritan. He said, `You know, it is often overlooked that the person who really gained the most was the Good Samaritan who rendered service, not the person who received it. I think the real lesson of the parable is that we benefit most when we help a neighbor in need.'"

[ElephantsForever]

Before reading Dick Wirthlin's new book, THE GREATEST COMMUNICATOR, I had never heard this Reagan story. The book is amazing, and I'd highly recommend it as essential reading for any true Reagan fan. But seeing the Clinton dedication today just reminds us all of what a towering giant Reagan is compared to Clinton. I mean, here Wirthlin and Reagan were chatting about the Good Samaritan in the Oval Office. A rather stark comparison to the things Clinton chose to do in the Oval Office.

Curious if anyone had ever heard this Reagan story prior to Wirthlin's new book? To my knowledge, Lou Cannon, for example, has never reported it.

[Tribemike]

Margaret Thatcher also said we need to remember he had money in his pocket...you can't help the poor by becoming one of them