Advantage Quote by Alexis de Tocqueville
“Whatever may be the general endeavor of a community to render its members equal and alike, the personal pride of individuals will always seek to rise above the line, and to form somewhere an inequality to their own advantage.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Democracy in America, Alexis de Tocqueville, 1835
Societies strive for equality, yet individuals naturally seek personal advantage, creating inequality.
In simple terms: People want equality but also personal advantage.
Key Takeaway
Balance fairness with personal ambition.
Themes
equality
individualism
social dynamics
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- workplace promotions
- educational policies
- wealth distribution
- political reforms
Key Concepts
social hierarchy
human nature
political theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies limit personal advantage without stifling ambition?
- What mechanisms promote true equality?
A Different Perspective
Ideal equality is hard to achieve because personal ambition persists.
![“[Soetsu Yanagi's] main criticism of individual craftsmen and modern artists is that they are overproud of their individualism. I think I am right in saying Yanagi's belief was that the good artist of craftsman has no personal pride because in his soul he knows that any prowess he shows is evidence…” quote by Bernard Leach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/115/bernard-leach-87404_arrogance_soetsu-yanagi-s-main-criticism-of-indivi_1137385.jpg)
![“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/449/abraham-lincoln-88_adoption_next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in_1828.jpg)
