"If you're in trouble, or hurt or need - go to the poor people. They're the only ones that'll help - the only ones"

John Steinbeck’s words reveal a profound observation about human compassion and solidarity, especially among those who have the least material wealth. The statement draws attention to an often overlooked truth: those who endure hardship frequently develop a deep empathy for others in similar circumstances. Material poverty, rather than breeding indifference or selfishness, often fosters a sense of community responsibility and generosity. People who understand struggle do not hesitate to extend what little they have to those in need because they comprehend, on a visceral level, what it feels like to go without.

Steinbeck’s perspective arises from his extensive experiences chronicling the lives of the poor and disenfranchised. Through works like *The Grapes of Wrath*, he documented how wealthier or more comfortable individuals often remain insulated from the daily battles of survival that the poor constantly face. In turn, this insulation can lead to indifference or a lack of understanding. Wealth can create barriers, psychological, emotional, and physical, separating those who have from those who have not. Conversely, among the poor, the necessity of relying on one another for survival creates a network of mutual support. Such connections breed solidarity; when one struggles, others do not hesitate to share their limited resources, because they know that they, too, might need such support in the future.

The sentiment also suggests a subtle critique of society’s systems and values. Those with wealth often have the means to help but may lack the will to do so or may fear losing their own comfort. Meanwhile, those who give freely from scarcity do so from a place of genuine understanding and kinship. Steinbeck’s observation thus points to a paradox: true human generosity and kindness are more prevalent among those with the least to give, challenging the assumption that generosity is tied to abundance. By turning to the poor in times of trouble, one finds authentic compassion, rooted in shared experience and the recognition of common humanity.