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“A society that puts equality before freedom will get neither. A society that puts freedom before equality will get a high degree of both.”

Milton Friedman

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Simplified Meaning:

If a society values equality more than freedom, it won't really have either. But if it values freedom first, it will end up having a lot of both freedom and equality. Think about a classroom where the teacher makes sure all students get the same grades regardless of how hard they work. Not only is that unfair, but students will also feel restricted and unmotivated. Conversely, if the teacher encourages every student to work hard and rewards them based on their effort, students will strive to do their best freely, which in turn can lead to a fairer, more balanced situation for everyone. So, if people are given freedom to act and express themselves, equality naturally follows because everyone has the chance to succeed based on their own efforts. This idea suggests that prioritizing freedom allows for a more balanced and fair community where everyone has the chance to thrive.

Related tags
Civil liberties Equality Freedom Individual rights Liberty Philosophy Politics Social order Society Values
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