Such follies will be re-enacted, so long as the inequality of fortunes justifies a populace, blinded and oppressed by the wealthy, in fearing the elevation of new tyrants to power.
Nothing seems more unnatural than that which we examine too closely, and often nothing seems less like the truth than the truth itself.

On the other hand, according to J.J.Rousseau, "it takes a great deal of philosophy to enable us to observe once what we see every day;" and, according to d'Alembert, "the ordinary truths of life make but little impression on men, unless their attention is especially called to them." The father of the school of economists (Say), from whom I borrow these two quotations, might have profited by them; but he who laughs at the blind should wear spectacles, and he who notices him is near-sighted.
Strange! that which has frightened so many minds is not, after all, an objection to equality--it is the very condition on which equality exists!...
Natural inequality the condition of equality of fortunes!...

What a paradox!...

I repeat my assertion, that no one may think I have blundered--inequality of powers is the sine qua non of equality of fortunes.
There are two things to be considered in society--FUNCTIONS and RELATIONS.
I.FUNCTIONS.Every laborer is supposed to be capable of performing the task assigned to him; or, to use a common expression, "every workman must know his trade." The workman equal to his work,--there is an equation between functionary and function.
In society, functions are not alike; there must be, then, different capacities.

Further,--certain functions demand greater intelligence and powers; then there are people of superior mind and talent.