In America everybody is of opinion that he has no social superiors, since all men are equal, but he does not admit that he has no social inferiors, for, from the time of Jefferson onward, the doctrine that all men are equal applies only upwards, not downwards.

Summary

This quote, commonly attributed to British writer and philosopher Bertrand Russell, criticizes the American belief in social equality. It suggests that while Americans firmly believe that all individuals are equal and have no social superiors, they refuse to acknowledge the absence of social inferiors. The quote implies that the idea of equality in America is often understood as everyone being equal or superior to others, rather than accepting any notion of inferiority. It highlights the selective application of equality, suggesting that it is only recognized when it benefits individuals, rather than being universally applied in all directions.