--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Inequality is as dear to the American…" description: "\"Inequality is as dear to the American heart as liberty itself.\" — William Dean Howells" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e6/william-dean-howells-10621_dear_inequality-is-as-dear-to-the-american-he_707251.jpg" --- # Inequality is as dear to the American heart as liberty… ![“Inequality is as dear to the American heart as liberty itself.” quote by William Dean Howells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e6/william-dean-howells-10621_dear_inequality-is-as-dear-to-the-american-he_707251.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e6/william-dean-howells-10621_dear_inequality-is-as-dear-to-the-american-he_707251.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e6/william-dean-howells-10621_dear_inequality-is-as-dear-to-the-american-he_707251.jpg) > “Inequality is as dear to the American heart as liberty itself.” [William Dean Howells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-dean-howells/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote suggests that Americans cherish both equality and liberty, treating them as equally vital national values. **In simple terms:** Americans value equality and liberty equally. Key Takeaway Recognize and protect both ideals. Themes equality liberty national identity political values Mood reflective serious Type political philosophical When to use this quote - policy debates - civil rights movements - educational curricula - public speeches Key Concepts Americanism social contract Questions to Reflect On - How do we ensure equality without compromising liberty? - What policies best reflect both values? A Different Perspective Balancing these ideals can be contentious in practice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Inequality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inequality/) [Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty/) ## Related quotes > [“At the heart of liberty is the right to define one’s own concept of existence, of meaning, of the universe, and of the mystery…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/burke-strunsky/at-the-heart-of-liberty-is-the-right-to-define-one-s-own-concept-of-2/) Burke Strunsky > [What light is to the eyes - what air is to the lungs - what love is to the heart, liberty is to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/what-light-is-to-the-eyes-what-air-is-to-the-lungs-what-love-is-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [At the heart of liberty is the right to define one's own concept of existence, of meaning, of the universe, and of the mystery…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-kennedy/at-the-heart-of-liberty-is-the-right-to-define-one-s-own-concept-of/) [Anthony Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-kennedy/) > [It clearly follows that to make men moral it is necessary to make their social environment moral. 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Pelosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-c-pelosi/) > ['Inequality' has become the political theme/slogan of our time in both Europe and the U.S., yet political leaders do not even bother to consider…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-singer/inequality-has-become-the-political-theme-slogan-of-our-time-in-both/) [Paul Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-singer/) > [Inequality is pervasive but invisible. It's hard to see. 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