For Americans, Acts 16:9 is the high-fructose corn syrup of Bible verses--an all-purpose ingredient we'll stir into everything from the ink on the Marshall Plan to canisters of Agent Orange. Our greatest goodness and our worst impulses come out of this missionary zeal, contributing to our overbearing (yet not entirely unwarranted) sense of our country as an inherently helpful force in the world. And, as with the apostle Paul, the notion that strangers want our help is sometimes a delusion. Sarah Vowell
About This Quote

The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. Those who can persevere even when they fall, these are the ones who will succeed. They rise to their feet every time they fall and keep on fighting. Americans project this idea of selflessness onto all their actions.

They act as if they are always doing good things for others without expecting anything in return. But, they never seem to realize that it is they who are helping others by doing these good things. When you help someone or do something nice for them, then they truly begin to love you and will want to repay you by helping you in return with all their heart and soul.

Source: Unfamiliar Fishes

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