“Antagonism between the classes will be removed. I do not envisage a dead and artificial level among the people. There will be a variety among them as there is among the leaves of a tree. There will certainly be no have-nots, no unemployment, and no disparity between classes and masses such as we see to-day. I have no doubt whatsoever that if non-violence in its full measure becomes the policy of the State, we shall reach essential equality without strife.”
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Probable attribution
This saying is widely associated with Mahatma Gandhi, but the attribution is not supported by a reliable primary source.
Likely origin: Gandhi, 'Harijan' (collected in Harijan Vol 8, c.1940) — his vision of a non-violent State without class antagonism.
About this quote
Fairness here doesn't mean flattening everyone into sameness; natural variety is welcome, like leaves on one tree. What's rejected is the gulf between plenty and want. The bolder claim is that such basic equality can be reached without pitting classes against each other in open conflict.
When to use it
- A company keeps varied roles and pay bands yet makes sure no worker is left below a genuine living wage.
- A neighborhood welcomes different incomes but organizes so that no family goes hungry or ends up unhoused.
- A cooperative shares profits so the gaps between members stay humane, settling disputes by agreement rather than a standoff.