Equality Quote by George Bernard Shaw
“Between persons of equal income there is no social distinction except the distinction of merit. Money is nothing: character, conduct, and capacity are everything. There would be great people and ordinary people and little people, but the great would always be those who had done great things, and never the idiots whose mothers had spoiled them and whose fathers had left them a hundred thousand a year; and the little would be persons of small minds and mean characters, and not poor persons who had never had a chance. That is why idiots are always in favor of inequality of income (their only chance of eminence), and the really great in favor of equality.”
About This Quote
Source Play: Man and Superman, 1903
Social worth is measured by character and achievement, not by income; true greatness aligns with equality, while the privileged often defend inequality to maintain status.
In simple terms: Character and deeds matter more than money.
Key Takeaway
Value merit over wealth.
Themes
equality
merit
social class
character
greatness
Mood
critical
thought‑provoking
analytical
Type
philosophical
political
literary
When to use this quote
- education
- career advancement
- policy debate
- community leadership
- personal development
Key Concepts
philosophy
social critique
economic theory
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies reward merit fairly?
- What role should income play in social status?
A Different Perspective
Wealth can still provide opportunities that merit alone cannot.
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