---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Ressentiment must therefore be strongest…"
description: "\"“Ressentiment must therefore be strongest in a society like ours, where approximately equal rights (political and otherwise) or formal social equality,..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/258/max-scheler-21013_equal-rights_ressentiment-must-therefore-be-strongest_1901249.jpg"
---

#  Ressentiment must therefore be strongest in a society like…

![“Ressentiment must therefore be strongest in a society like ours, where approximately equal rights (political and otherwise) or formal social equality, publicly recognized, go hand in hand with wide factual differences in power, property, and education.” quote by Max Scheler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/258/max-scheler-21013_equal-rights_ressentiment-must-therefore-be-strongest_1901249.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/258/max-scheler-21013_equal-rights_ressentiment-must-therefore-be-strongest_1901249.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/258/max-scheler-21013_equal-rights_ressentiment-must-therefore-be-strongest_1901249.jpg)

> ““Ressentiment must therefore be strongest in a society like ours, where approximately equal rights (political and otherwise) or formal social equality, publicly recognized, go hand in hand with wide factual differences in power, property, and education.””

[Max Scheler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-scheler/)

## About This Quote

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

In societies with formal equality but large factual disparities, resentment intensifies.

**In simple terms:** Equality without real parity fuels resentment.

Key Takeaway

Address underlying inequities.

Themes

social justice inequality resentment

Mood

critical thoughtful

Type

analytical political

When to use this quote

- policy making
- education reform
- wealth distribution
- community building

Key Concepts

philosophy sociology

Questions to Reflect On

- How can we bridge factual gaps?
- What policies reduce both formal and substantive inequality?

A Different Perspective

Changing laws alone may not change lived realities.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Equal rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/equal-rights/) [Equality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/equality/) [Equality Publicly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/equality-publicly-2807269/) [Hand in hand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hand-in-hand/) [Ressentiment Strongest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ressentiment-strongest-2807270/) [Social equality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social-equality/)

## Related quotes

> [For the record, feminism by definition is: 'The belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities. It is the theory of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-watson/for-the-record-feminism-by-definition-is-the-belief-that-men-and/)

[Emma Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-watson/)

> [ Our vulnerability \[to ressentiment\] is unavoidable (and probably incurable) in a kind of society in which relative equality of political and other rights and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zygmunt-bauman/our-vulnerability-to-ressentiment-is-unavoidable-and-probably/)

[Zygmunt Bauman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zygmunt-bauman/)

> [Free milk will be provided in Hoxton and Shoredith, in Eton and Harrow. What more social equality can you have than that?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-wilkinson/free-milk-will-be-provided-in-hoxton-and-shoredith-in-eton-and-harrow/)

[Ellen Wilkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-wilkinson/)

> [The wisest among my race understand that agitations of social equality is the extremist folly, and that progress in the enjoyment of all privileges…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/the-wisest-among-my-race-understand-that-agitations-of-social/)

[Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/)

> [Men and women shall have equal rights throughout the United States and every place subject to its jurisdiction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-paul/men-and-women-shall-have-equal-rights-throughout-the-united-states/)

[Alice Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-paul/)

> [“They are demanding equal rights with us,’ says Mrs. Fiedke. ‘That’s why I never vote with the Liberals. Perfume, jewellery, hair down to their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muriel-spark/they-are-demanding-equal-rights-with-us-says-mrs-fiedke-that-s-why-i/)

[Muriel Spark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muriel-spark/)

> [Thought Of equality- as if it harm'd me, giving others the same chances and rights as myself- as if it were not indispensable to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-whitman/thought-of-equality-as-if-it-harm-d-me-giving-others-the-same-chances/)

[Walt Whitman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-whitman/)

> [“When asked what gave her the strength and commitment to refuse segregation, (Rosa) Parks credited her mother and grandfather "for giving me the spirit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-theoharis/when-asked-what-gave-her-the-strength-and-commitment-to-refuse/)

[Jeanne Theoharis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-theoharis/)

> [It is impossible to struggle for civil rights, equal rights for blacks, without including whites. Because equal rights, fair play, justice, are all like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/it-is-impossible-to-struggle-for-civil-rights-equal-rights-for-blacks/)

[Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/)

> [Fleabag knows men and women are equal and should be treated as such, but what she's confused about - and what I was confused…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phoebe-waller-bridge/fleabag-knows-men-and-women-are-equal-and-should-be-treated-as-such/)

[Phoebe Waller-Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoebe-waller-bridge/)

> [There is one lesson from the past, in particular, that we cannot afford to ignore: You cannot make progress on gender equality or broader…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/there-is-one-lesson-from-the-past-in-particular-that-we-cannot-afford/)

[Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/)

> [I certainly embrace all the movement that's going on these days about equality for women and equal rights. In general, I would apply that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-andrews/i-certainly-embrace-all-the-movement-that-s-going-on-these-days-about/)

[Julie Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-andrews/)

> [The equal rights of man and the happiness of every individual are now acknowledged to be the only legitimate objects of government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-equal-rights-of-man-and-the-happiness-of-every-individual-are-now/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [“Everyone is crying out for peace... I need equal rights and justice.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-tosh/everyone-is-crying-out-for-peace-i-need-equal-rights-and-justice/)

[Peter Tosh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-tosh/)

> [“I have received the favor of your letter of August 17th, and with it the volume you were so kind as to send me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-have-received-the-favor-of-your-letter-of-august-17th-and-with-it/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

## More by Max Scheler

> [“One of my principal theses is that in every case the nature of a being (contingent as well as essential nature) can, in principle,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-scheler/one-of-my-principal-theses-is-that-in-every-case-the-nature-of-a/)

[Max Scheler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-scheler/)

> [Whenever convictions are not arrived at by direct contact with the world and the objects themselves, but indirectly through a critique of the opinions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-scheler/whenever-convictions-are-not-arrived-at-by-direct-contact-with-the/)

[Max Scheler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-scheler/)

> [“What is gained by the transcendence of the object is the identifiability of the object in a plurality of acts and the identifiability of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-scheler/what-is-gained-by-the-transcendence-of-the-object-is-the/)

[Max Scheler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-scheler/)

> [ “Love loves and in loving always looks beyond what it has in hand and possesses. The driving impulse \[\*Triebimpuls\*\] which arouses may tire out;… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-scheler/love-loves-and-in-loving-always-looks-beyond-what-it-has-in-hand-and/)

[Max Scheler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-scheler/)

> [ “Only after the concept of knowledge has been based on an ontological relation \[\*Seinsverhältnis\*\] can we work out the particular kind of being from… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-scheler/only-after-the-concept-of-knowledge-has-been-based-on-an-ontological/)

[Max Scheler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-scheler/)

> [“There are two fundamentally different ways for the strong to bend down to the weak, for the rich to help the poor, for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-scheler/there-are-two-fundamentally-different-ways-for-the-strong-to-bend/)

[Max Scheler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-scheler/)

> [“All ancient philosophers, poets, and moralists agree that love is a striving, an aspiration of the “lower” toward the “higher,” the “unformed” toward the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-scheler/all-ancient-philosophers-poets-and-moralists-agree-that-love-is-a/)

[Max Scheler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-scheler/)

> [“We must reject entirely the frequently encountered assertion that consciousness is a "primal fact," that one ought not speak of an "origin" of consciousness.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-scheler/we-must-reject-entirely-the-frequently-encountered-assertion-that/)

[Max Scheler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-scheler/)

> [If the awareness of our limitations begins to limit or to dim our value consciousness as well—as happens, for instance, in old age with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-scheler/if-the-awareness-of-our-limitations-begins-to-limit-or-to-dim-our/)

[Max Scheler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-scheler/)

> [The purpose of art is... to press forward into the whole of the external world and the soul, to see and communicate those objective…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-scheler/the-purpose-of-art-is-to-press-forward-into-the-whole-of-the-external/)

[Max Scheler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-scheler/)

> [ “All that is worthy of love \[\*die Liebenswürdigkeiten\*\], from the viewpoint of God's comprehensive love, might have been stamped and created by this act… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-scheler/all-that-is-worthy-of-love-die-liebensw-rdigkeiten-from-the-viewpoint/)

[Max Scheler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-scheler/)

> [“Existential envy which is directed against the other person’s very nature, is the strongest source of ressentiment. It is as if it whispers continually:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-scheler/existential-envy-which-is-directed-against-the-other-person-s-very/)

[Max Scheler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-scheler/)

> [“Antiquity believed that the forces of love in the universe were limited. Therefore they were to be used sparingly,and everyone was to be loved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-scheler/antiquity-believed-that-the-forces-of-love-in-the-universe-were/)

[Max Scheler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-scheler/)

> [Ressentiment is always to some degree a determinant of the romantic type of mind. At least this is so when the romantic nostalgia for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-scheler/ressentiment-is-always-to-some-degree-a-determinant-of-the-romantic/)

[Max Scheler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-scheler/)

> [“The “noble” person has a completely naïve and non-reflective awareness of his own value and of his fullness of being, an obscure conviction which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-scheler/the-noble-person-has-a-completely-na-ve-and-non-reflective-awareness/)

[Max Scheler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-scheler/)

[Explore all 30 Max Scheler quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-scheler/)

## More Equal rights quotes

> [I do conscientiously and sincerely believe that the Order of Freemasonry, if not the greatest, is one of the greatest moral and political evils…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-quincy-adams/i-do-conscientiously-and-sincerely-believe-that-the-order-of/)

[John Quincy Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-quincy-adams/)

> [While we welcome people of all faiths in America we cannot be so naive as to expect all countries to do the same. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-huffington/while-we-welcome-people-of-all-faiths-in-america-we-cannot-be-so/)

[Michael Huffington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-huffington/)

> [“They are demanding equal rights with us,’ says Mrs. Fiedke. ‘That’s why I never vote with the Liberals. Perfume, jewellery, hair down to their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muriel-spark/they-are-demanding-equal-rights-with-us-says-mrs-fiedke-that-s-why-i/)

[Muriel Spark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muriel-spark/)

> [I certainly embrace all the movement that's going on these days about equality for women and equal rights. In general, I would apply that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-andrews/i-certainly-embrace-all-the-movement-that-s-going-on-these-days-about/)

[Julie Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-andrews/)

> [The equal rights of man and the happiness of every individual are now acknowledged to be the only legitimate objects of government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-equal-rights-of-man-and-the-happiness-of-every-individual-are-now/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [The history of woman is the history of the continued and universal oppression of one sex by the other. The emancipation of woman is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tennessee-celeste-claflin/the-history-of-woman-is-the-history-of-the-continued-and-universal/)

[Tennessee Celeste Claflin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tennessee-celeste-claflin/)

> [Men and women shall have equal rights throughout the United States and every place subject to its jurisdiction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-paul/men-and-women-shall-have-equal-rights-throughout-the-united-states/)

[Alice Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-paul/)

> [“... But besides the danger of a direct mixture of Religion &amp; civil Government , there is an evil which ought to be guarded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/but-besides-the-danger-of-a-direct-mixture-of-religion-civil/)

[James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/)

> [I do think that the success, although still not complete... in the recognition of equal rights... to all Americans, regardless of color, creed and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-cronkite/i-do-think-that-the-success-although-still-not-complete-in-the/)

[Walter Cronkite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-cronkite/)

> [“Everyone is crying out for peace... I need equal rights and justice.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-tosh/everyone-is-crying-out-for-peace-i-need-equal-rights-and-justice/)

[Peter Tosh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-tosh/)

> [In America, you can segregate the people, but the problems will travel. From slavery to equal rights, from state suppression of dissent to crime,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/june-jordan/in-america-you-can-segregate-the-people-but-the-problems-will-travel/)

[June Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/june-jordan/)

> [“I always liked your piety, Jack.” “I’m a lot cuter than the women of your generation,” Betsy said, playing up to Capers and Mike.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-conroy/i-always-liked-your-piety-jack-i-m-a-lot-cuter-than-the-women-of-your/)

[Pat Conroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-conroy/)

> [“Did I ever tell you about the man who taught his asshole to talk? His whole abdomen would move up and down, you dig,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-s-burroughs/did-i-ever-tell-you-about-the-man-who-taught-his-asshole-to-talk-his/)

[William S. Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-s-burroughs/)

> [Racial discrimination in elections in Texas is no mere historical artifact. To the contrary, Texas has been found in violation of the Voting Rights…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bader-ginsburg/racial-discrimination-in-elections-in-texas-is-no-mere-historical/)

[Ruth Bader Ginsburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bader-ginsburg/)

> [“I have received the favor of your letter of August 17th, and with it the volume you were so kind as to send me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-have-received-the-favor-of-your-letter-of-august-17th-and-with-it/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

[Browse all 508 Equal rights quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/equal-rights/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“Ressentiment must therefore be strongest in a society like ours, where approximately equal rights (political and otherwise) or formal social equality, publicly recognized, go hand in hand with wide factual differences in power, property, and education.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Max Scheler"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-scheler/ressentiment-must-therefore-be-strongest-in-a-society-like-ours-where/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Equal rights"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-scheler/ressentiment-must-therefore-be-strongest-in-a-society-like-ours-where/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/258/max-scheler-21013_equal-rights_ressentiment-must-therefore-be-strongest_1901249.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/258/max-scheler-21013_equal-rights_ressentiment-must-therefore-be-strongest_1901249.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/258/max-scheler-21013_equal-rights_ressentiment-must-therefore-be-strongest_1901249.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Ressentiment must therefore be strongest in a society like ours, where approximately equal rights (political…” — Max Scheler",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Max Scheler",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-scheler/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“Ressentiment must therefore be strongest in...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-scheler/ressentiment-must-therefore-be-strongest-in-a-society-like-ours-where/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-scheler/ressentiment-must-therefore-be-strongest-in-a-society-like-ours-where/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
