Ludwig von Mises Quotes

"Mediocrity" doesn't mean average intelligence, it means an average intelligence that resents and envies its betters.

People want you to be ordinary. They don't like it when people are different. They don't like it when a man soars over their heads while they stand in the dirt. People hate you when you're special; it reminds them of everything that they aren't.

Washington is gripped by crab-in-the-bucket syndrome. And there's no cure in sight. Put a single crab in an uncovered bucket, and it will find a way to climb up and out on its own. Put a dozen crabs in a bucket, and 11 will fight with all their might to pull down the striver who attempts escape.

People hate those who make them feel their own inferiority.

I think Americans love success - but hate the people who have it.

The World, thinking itself affronted by superior merit, takes delight to bring it down to its own level.

Envy is the basis of democracy.

The true meaning of the word ‘Equality’ is—“No one better off than I am."

I've talked about tall poppy syndrome when I see people. I used to be like, 'Why am I feeling this way? What is that person taking from me that makes me feel inadequate?' That same feeling you feel when you feel uncomfortable because people start talking about racism, lean into that feeling, don't just look away from it, because you can't pretend.

Detestation of the high is the involuntary homage of the low.

And meanwhile the sad truth was that not everyone could be extraordinary, not everyone could be extremely cool; because whom would this leave to be ordinary?

What keeps the democracy alive at all but the hatred of excellence; the desire of the base to see no head higher than their own?

They hate you because you act like you're better than they are

How does hating get started? It's started by the jealous people, and they get mad over the things you have.

Any society which gives lip-service to the idea of equal opportunity is going to generate jealousy of others who are better off than you are, even if the thing that's in short supply can't be carved up and shared without destroying it.

There's one form of bigotry that is still acceptable in America - that's the bigotry against the successful.

When we feel that we lack whatever is needed to secure someone else's esteem, we are very close to hating him

The human beings did not hate Animal Farm any less now that it was prospering; indeed, they hated it more than ever.

You have to be prepared for people to hate you. Average people love to be average, because nobody bothers them.

The seasick passenger on an ocean liner detests the good sailor who stalks past him 265 times a day grandly smoking a large, greasy cigar. In precisely the same way the democrat hates the man who is having a better time in the world. This is the origin of democracy. It is also the origin of Puritanism.

"In Africa," S. B. once remarked, "if you do well, people close to you will hate you."

Resentment is at work when one so hates somebody for his more favorable circumstances that one is prepared to bear heavy losses if only the hated one might also come to harm. Many of those who attack capitalism know very well that their situation under any other economic system will be less favorable.

Familiarity breeds contempt. By bringing them in close, they realize that you’re just as human as they are. That’s when the madness sets in. They can’t understand why you have more than they do when you’re just a regular human being the same as them. Then they hate you for it. (Leta)

and god help you if you are an ugly girl course too pretty is also your doom cause everyone harbors a secret hatred for the prettiest girl in the room and god help you if you are a pheonix and you dare to rise up from the ash a thousand eyes will smolder with jealousy while you are just flying back

The success of a close friend is often wounding, especially if he has been poor for so long.