Nature smiles at the union of freedom and equality in our utopias. For freedom and equality are sworn and everlasting enemies, and when one prevails the other dies.
Will DurantRead
In progressive societies the concentration[of wealth] may reach a point where the strength of number in the many poor rivals the strength of ability in the few rich; then the unstable equilibrium generates a critical situation, which history has diversely met by legislation redistributing wealth or by revolution distributing poverty.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the tension between wealth concentration and societal stability.
Will Durant addresses the consequences of wealth concentration in progressive societies, suggesting that when the disparity between the rich and poor becomes too great, it creates a critical situation. This imbalance can lead to historical outcomes such as legislative reforms aimed at wealth redistribution or revolutions that result in widespread poverty, emphasizing the need for a more equitable distribution of resources to maintain social stability.
Themes
WealthSocietyEquilibriumPovertyRichRevolution
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion on economic inequality, this quote can illustrate the potential consequences of wealth disparity.
More from Will Durant
All quotes →The greatest question of our time is not communism vs. individualism, not Europe vs. America, not even the East vs. the West; it is whether men can bear to live without God.
Will DurantRead
If we have never been amazed by the very fact that we exist, we are squandering the greatest fact of all.
Will DurantRead
Philosophy is harmonized knowledge making a harmonious life; it is the self-discipline which lifts us to serenity and freedom. Knowledge is power, but only wisdom is liberty.
Will DurantRead
If you wish to be loved, be modest; if you wish to be admired, be proud; if you wish both, combine external modesty with internal pride.
Will DurantRead
When liberty destroys order the hunger for order will destroy liberty.
Will DurantRead
Similar quotes
Asking people for money is giving them the opportunity to put their resources at the disposal of the Kingdom.
Henri NouwenRead
If Christ were here now there is one thing he would not be — a Christian.
Mark TwainRead
But meanwhile time flies; it flies never to be regained.
VirgilRead
The believer in magic and miracles reflects on how to impose a law on nature--: and, in brief, the religious cult is the outcome of this reflection.
Friedrich NietzscheRead
The dead are visible only in the terrible lidless eye of memory.
John GreenRead
He is a poor patriot whose patriotism does not enable him to understand how all men everywhere feel about their altars and their hearthstones, their flag and their fatherland.
Harry Emerson FosdickRead