--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Mankind divides itself into two…" description: "\"Mankind divides itself into two classes,--benefactors and malefactors. The second class is vast; the first a handful.\" — Ralph Waldo Emerson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3dc/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_behavior_mankind-divides-itself-into-two-classes_2906162.png" --- # Mankind divides itself into two classes,--benefactors and… ![“Mankind divides itself into two classes,--benefactors and malefactors. The second class is vast; the first a handful.” quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3dc/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_behavior_mankind-divides-itself-into-two-classes_2906162.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3dc/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_behavior_mankind-divides-itself-into-two-classes_2906162.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3dc/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_behavior_mankind-divides-itself-into-two-classes_2906162.png) > “Mankind divides itself into two classes,--benefactors and malefactors. The second class is vast; the first a handful.” [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Society splits into those who help and those who harm, with helpers being few. **In simple terms:** People are either helpers or harmers, helpers are rare. Key Takeaway Recognize and support the few benefactors. Themes ethics social hierarchy human nature Mood reflective critical Type observational ethical When to use this quote - community leadership - charitable work - conflict resolution - policy making Key Concepts philosophy morality power dynamics Questions to Reflect On - Who are the benefactors in your life? - How can you become a benefactor? A Different Perspective Not all actions are clearly good or bad; motives can be mixed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Behavior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behavior/) [Benefactors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/benefactors/) [Class](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/class/) [Mankind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mankind/) [Nature of man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-of-man/) ## Related quotes > [It is the dissenter, the theorist, the aspirant, who is quitting this ancient domain to embark on seas of adventure, who engages our interest.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/it-is-the-dissenter-the-theorist-the-aspirant-who-is-quitting-this/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Every evil to which we do not succumb is a benefactor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/every-evil-to-which-we-do-not-succumb-is-a-benefactor/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Talent for talent's sake is a bauble and a show. 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The wars which make history so dreary have served the cause of truth and virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-cruelest-foe-is-a-masked-benefactor-the-wars-which-make-history/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The Buddhist, who thanks no man, who says "Do not flatter your benefactors," but who, in his conviction that every good deed can by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-buddhist-who-thanks-no-man-who-says-do-not-flatter-your/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [If you have a nation of men who have risen to that height of moral cultivation that they will not declare war or carry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-you-have-a-nation-of-men-who-have-risen-to-that-height-of-moral/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Take egotism out and you would castrate the benefactors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/take-egotism-out-and-you-would-castrate-the-benefactors/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Providence has a wild, rough, incalculable road to its end, and it is of no use to try to whitewash its huge, mixed instrumentalities,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/providence-has-a-wild-rough-incalculable-road-to-its-end-and-it-is-of/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [This whole business of Trade gives me to pause and think, as it constitutes false relations between men; inasmuch as I am prone tocount…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/this-whole-business-of-trade-gives-me-to-pause-and-think-as-it/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [For, when men shall meet as they ought, each a benefactor, a shower of stars, clothed with thoughts, with deeds, with accomplishments, it should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/for-when-men-shall-meet-as-they-ought-each-a-benefactor-a-shower-of/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Brothers, the white people are like poisonous serpents: when chilled they are feeble and harmless, but invigorate them with warmth and they sting their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tecumseh/brothers-the-white-people-are-like-poisonous-serpents-when-chilled/) [Tecumseh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tecumseh/) > [Would movie moguls release a film portraying Adolph Hitler as a great benefactor of the Jews? 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Do not, then, read the reviews.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/no-man-can-be-criticised-but-by-a-greater-than-he-do-not-then-read/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Coal lay in ledges under the ground since the Flood, until a laborer with pick and windlass brings it to the surface. 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