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The attempt to live that way, the attempt to treat…

“The attempt to live that way, the attempt to treat everybody - it fails all the time - but the attempt to treat people as equals is a good attempt. It's a very good attempt. And there have been very few governments that have come anywhere near it in the past. The Greeks began to, the Romans began…” quote by W. S. Merwin
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“The attempt to live that way, the attempt to treat everybody - it fails all the time - but the attempt to treat people as equals is a good attempt. It's a very good attempt. And there have been very few governments that have come anywhere near it in the past. The Greeks began to, the Romans began to - they both failed.”

W. S. Merwin

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

He argues that striving for equal treatment is noble despite historical failures, noting few societies have achieved it.

In simple terms: Treating everyone equally is a worthy but rarely realized goal.

Key Takeaway

Continue advocating for equality despite setbacks.

Themes

equality politics idealism

Mood

hopeful critical

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • civil rights movements
  • policy reform
  • community organizing

Key Concepts

social justice historical attempts government policy

Questions to Reflect On

  • What practical steps can advance equality today?
  • Why do societies repeatedly fail at equal treatment?
A Different Perspective

Idealism may clash with entrenched power structures.

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