“The only difference between man and man all the world over is one of degree, and not of kind, even as there is between trees of the same species.”
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Attribution note
Consistent with Gandhi's egalitarian philosophy and repeated across quote sites, yet no primary dated publication could be found; not present in Wikiquote's sourced sections, so attribution is unverified.
About this quote
What lets contempt take hold is the belief that some people belong to a lower category altogether. Once you notice the same fears, wants, and effort running through everyone you meet, prejudice loses its footing, and comparison stops feeling like ranking souls.
When to use it
- A hiring manager who assumes an applicant from a different background 'won't fit' pauses when he recognizes the same drive he prizes in himself.
- Neighbors of different faiths sharing one street realize their daily worries about rent, kids, and safety are nearly identical.
- A student who sorts classmates into 'smart' and 'slow' starts seeing practice and time, not a fixed gap, behind most of the difference.