The World, thinking itself affronted by superior merit, takes delight to bring it down to its own level.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Society often resents individuals who stand out due to their superior abilities or virtues, attempting to diminish them so they fit in with the status quo.
- In plain terms
- People feel threatened by excellence and try to drag it down to their own level.
- What can you take from it?
- Expect resentment when you excel.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Have you ever held back to avoid standing out?
- How do you handle being superior?
Another view
Not all societies suppress merit; some reward it highly.
More from Samuel Richardson
Vast is the field of Science ... the more a man knows, the more he will find he has to know.
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