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About this quote

What does it mean?
Equality comes from virtue, not birthright.
In plain terms
Being good makes you better than being born noble.
What can you take from it?
Merit should define status, not lineage.

Where it applies

  • debating society
  • discussing merit
  • challenging class

Putting it to work

  • value merit over status
  • fight classism

Questions to consider

  • What defines worth?
  • Is equality achievable?

Another view

This ignores systemic barriers to developing virtue.

More from Voltaire

  1. L'homme est libre au moment qu'il veut l'etre.

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  2. Les anciens Romains elevaient des prodiges d'architecture pour faire combattre des betes.

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  3. C'est un poids bien pesant qu'un nom trop tot fameux.

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