Humanitarianism Defined: Taking from one to give to another

"The type and formula of most schemes of philanthropy or humanitarianism is this: A and B put their heads together to decide what C shall be made to do for D. The radical vice of all these schemes, from a sociological point of view, is that C is not allowed a voice in the matter, and his position, character, and interests, as well as the ultimate effects on society through C's interests, are entirely overlooked. I call C the Forgotten Man."

-- William Graham Sumner (1840-1910)
American academic and professor at Yale College

Source: William Graham Sumner's Essay, "The Forgotten Man"

http://www.blupete.com/Literature/Essays/Best/SumnerForgotten.htm
http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote_blog/William.Sumner.Quote.B640