Unless man is committed to the belief that all mankind are his brothers, then he labors¹ in vain and hypocritically in the vineyards of equality.

Adam Clayton Powell Jr. (1908 - 1972), 'Black Power: A Form of Godly Power,' 1967

Before God we are all equally wise - and equally foolish.

Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)

That all men are equal is a proposition which, at ordinary times, no sane² individual has ever given his assent³.

Aldous Huxley (1894 - 1963)

If liberty and equality, as is thought by some are chiefly to be found in democracy, they will be best attained⁴ when all persons alike share in the government to the utmost.

Aristotle (384 BC - 322 BC), Politics

The only stable state is the one in which all men are equal before the law.

Aristotle (384 BC - 322 BC)

In the state of nature...all men are born equal, but they cannot continue in this equality. Society makes them lose it, and they recover it only by the protection of the law.

Charles de Montesquieu (1689 - 1755)

The love of democracy is that of equality.

Charles de Montesquieu (1689 - 1755)

All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.

George Orwell (1903 - 1950), "Animal Farm"

Equality...is the result of human organization. We are not born equal.

Hannah Arendt (1906 - 1975)

It is not true that equality is a law of nature. Nature has no equality. Its sovereign law is subordination and dependence⁵.

Marquis de Vauvenargues

As men, we are all equal in the presence of death.

Publilius Syrus (~100 BC), Moral Sayings, First Century B.C.

We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

US Declaration of Independence

Men are equal; it is not birth but virtue⁶ that makes the difference.

Voltaire (1694 - 1778)