“Paradoxical as it may seem, men and women who are free to pursue individualism and material wealth turn out to be the most compassionate of all.”

In creating material wealth, they create businesses and hire people. Think of the thousands of jobs Bill Gates and Michael Dell have created.

The law of nature and of nature's God prevails over all man made religions such as collectivism, socialism, etc. The quote's paradox only derives from such man made religious perceptions. The de jure U.S. demonstrates the accuracy of the statement. The more free the people were, the more compassionate and giving they were. The more collectivist the once free people become, the more they expect their god (government) to force the dole (slaves taken care of by their master)

When people have something left of their pay check after taxes, they are much more likely to be philanthropic than if they are robbed at the source and left with the question of, How do I make it to next payday? Forced philanthropy is what leads to selfishness...out of necessity.