--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It can be bad if the winners try to stop…" description: "\"“It can be bad if the winners try to stop others from following them, pulling up the ladders behind them.”\" — Angus Deaton" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0d/angus-deaton-5260_football_it-can-be-bad-if-the-winners-try-to-stop_414783.jpg" --- # It can be bad if the winners try to stop others from… ![“It can be bad if the winners try to stop others from following them, pulling up the ladders behind them.” quote by Angus Deaton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0d/angus-deaton-5260_football_it-can-be-bad-if-the-winners-try-to-stop_414783.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0d/angus-deaton-5260_football_it-can-be-bad-if-the-winners-try-to-stop_414783.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0d/angus-deaton-5260_football_it-can-be-bad-if-the-winners-try-to-stop_414783.jpg) > ““It can be bad if the winners try to stop others from following them, pulling up the ladders behind them.”” [Angus Deaton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angus-deaton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When winners block others' progress, they create inequality and hinder collective advancement. **In simple terms:** Winners may pull up ladders. Key Takeaway Promote inclusive success. Themes economics ethics inequality Mood analytical concerned Type sociological critical When to use this quote - policy making - education reform Key Concepts social mobility competition fairness Questions to Reflect On - How can you lift others while succeeding? - What systems prevent ladder‑pulling? A Different Perspective May ignore legitimate competition. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) ## Related quotes > [Winners always try and sometimes fail, but losers never try and never win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/winners-always-try-and-sometimes-fail-but-losers-never-try-and-never/) [Terry Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mark/) > [I think when people twitter 20 or 30 times per day, that's too much. They are boxing everyone else out, and people stop following…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/biz-stone/i-think-when-people-twitter-20-or-30-times-per-day-that-s-too-much/) [Biz Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/biz-stone/) > [“Where are you going?" he asked as she clomped down the bleachers in her heavy black boots. "I don't know." 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Maybe when you have been hurt enough that there is no piece…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naz/how-do-you-know-when-it-s-time-to-stop-following-your-heart-maybe/) [Naz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naz/) > [When my son first started to take the subway, my husband and I used to follow him to make sure he was all right,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/when-my-son-first-started-to-take-the-subway-my-husband-and-i-used-to/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) ## More by Angus Deaton > [I don't think income solely determines health. 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