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 βThe 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
There are wholes, the behavior of which is not determined by that of their individual elements, but where the part-processes are themselves determined by the intrinsic nature of the whole. It is the hope of Gestalt theory to determine the nature of such wholes.
Max WertheimerRead
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.
John Kenneth GalbraithRead
The certainty that everything has already been written annuls us, or renders us phantasmal.
Jorge Luis BorgesRead
My hope is to gain a fresh hearing for Jesus, especially among those who believe they already understand him. In his case, quite frankly, presumed familiarity has led to unfamiliarity, unfamiliarity has led to contempt, and contempt has led to profound ignorance.
Dallas WillardRead
If there's anything you absolutely hate, why, it must be unconstitutional. Or, if there's anything you absolutely have to have, it must be required by the Constitution. That's where we are. That is utterly mindless.
Antonin ScaliaRead
We are born alone, we live alone, we die alone. Everything in-between is a gift.
Yul BrynnerRead