--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I started off believing all men were…" description: "\"I started off believing all men were equal. I now know that's the most unlikely thing ever to have been. . .by observation, reading, watching, arguing,..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/285/lee-kuan-yew-3939_arguing_i-started-off-believing-all-men-were-equ_1655344.jpg" --- # I started off believing all men were equal. I now know… ![“I started off believing all men were equal. I now know that's the most unlikely thing ever to have been. . .by observation, reading, watching, arguing, asking, and then bullying my way to the top, that is the conclusion I've come to.” quote by Lee Kuan Yew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/285/lee-kuan-yew-3939_arguing_i-started-off-believing-all-men-were-equ_1655344.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/285/lee-kuan-yew-3939_arguing_i-started-off-believing-all-men-were-equ_1655344.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/285/lee-kuan-yew-3939_arguing_i-started-off-believing-all-men-were-equ_1655344.jpg) > “I started off believing all men were equal. I now know that's the most unlikely thing ever to have been. . .by observation, reading, watching, arguing, asking, and then bullying my way to the top, that is the conclusion I've come to.” [Lee Kuan Yew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-kuan-yew/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker reflects that initial belief in universal equality is unrealistic, shaped by extensive personal experience and competitive ascent. **In simple terms:** Equality seems unrealistic after observing society. Key Takeaway Question assumptions through experience. Themes politics human nature power dynamics Mood reflective critical Type philosophical political When to use this quote - leadership - career progression - policy making - conflict resolution Key Concepts social hierarchy realism self-advancement Questions to Reflect On - How have your experiences altered your view of equality? - What responsibilities follow from recognizing inequality? A Different Perspective It may overlook systemic barriers and collective responsibility. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Arguing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arguing/) [Asking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asking/) [Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe/) [Believing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believing/) [Believing Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believing-men-699349/) [Bullying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bullying/) [Conclusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conclusion/) [Equal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/equal/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Men Equal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men-equal/) [My way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/my-way/) [Observation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/observation/) [Reading](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reading/) [Started Believing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/started-believing-418268/) [Unlikely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unlikely/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) ## Related quotes > [I started off believing all men were equal. 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Then you will just stay put, you won't progress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-kuan-yew/a-leader-without-the-vision-to-strive-to-improve-things-is-no-good/) [Lee Kuan Yew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-kuan-yew/) > [India is scared of the competition... because Chinese goods will go into India and compete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-kuan-yew/india-is-scared-of-the-competition-because-chinese-goods-will-go-into/) [Lee Kuan Yew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-kuan-yew/) > [I was a product of the times, the war, the occupation, the reoccupation, my 4 years in Britain, admiring but at the same time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-kuan-yew/i-was-a-product-of-the-times-the-war-the-occupation-the-reoccupation/) [Lee Kuan Yew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-kuan-yew/) > [Three women were brought to the Singapore General Hospital, each in the same condition and needing a blood transfusion. 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