Verlene has touched upon the crucial issue here. We all may have different ethical opinions. These may even change quite a bit from time to time. Many of us, if we were in the position of the Samaritan, would feel that we should help the injured man on the road, but we would be afraid. Out of basic self-preservation we would avoid helping the stranger, because it might just be a robber's ploy--or who knows what.
Is it fair to condemn the priest and the Levite simply because they feared for their safety? Should the priest and the Levite be punished for wrongdoing?
Jesus' anecdote is intended to exemplify the Law of Moses--as summed up in the two greatest commandments. These are--in the mind of Jesus and the legal expert--commands from God himself. Is it fair--even of God--to demand courage?