Was the idea that “all people are equal” a lie? What Yukichi Fukuzawa really wanted to convey.

“Heaven does not create one person above another, nor one person below another.”

You have surely heard this phrase at least once.

But
how many people know the “rest” of this sentence? 🤔

Actually, it wasn't his own “famous quote”

This passage appears at the beginning of An Encouragement of Learning.
However, it does not end there.

It originally continues like this:

👉 “It is said that...”

In other words, this was

not Fukuzawa's own words, but a quotation.



So, whose words are they?It is widely considered to be


a passage from the United States Declaration of Independence,drafted by
Thomas Jefferson.That all men are created equal and

endowed with rights from birth—
it is believed that Fukuzawa paraphrased this philosophy for a Japanese audience

into that famous phrase.



But what Yukichi Fukuzawa really wanted to say was “what comes after”This is the most important part.

Fukuzawa continues as follows:

👉 People are born without differences in status

👉 But in reality, there are differences
So, what causes those differences?




The “one single thing” that creates differences in lifeThe answer is simple.

👉

Whether you learn or do not learnThose who acquire learning can:

• Judge things correctly
• Play an active role in society
• Consequently gain wealth and status
In other words,

👉

Differences in life are determined not by “talent” but by “learning”


Knowing the historical context makes it hit even deeperThe Edo period was a “caste society.”

• Your life was determined by birth
• You couldn't change it no matter how hard you tried
However, the era changed with the Meiji period.

👉 Toward an era where effort is rewarded

That is precisely why Fukuzawa shouted:

👉 “Learn!”

This was not just about studying,


but a strategy to change your life🔥


Actually, he wasn't a “genius”This is also a surprising fact.

Yukichi Fukuzawa:

• Was mischievous as a child 😅
• Was not good at reading and writing
• Only started studying seriously at 14 or 15


He was not what you would call an “elite.”


That is exactly why these words are so realIf he had been a genius, these words would have sounded like this:

👉 “Only those who are capable will succeed.”

But that's not it.

👉 “Anyone can change.”

He was someone who proved that with his own life.




What does it mean to “learn”?Fukuzawa did not just recommend difficult academic subjects.

Rather, he emphasized the following 👇

• Reading and writing
• Arithmetic
• How society works
• Morality as a person
👉

“Learning that empowers you to live”In other words,

👉 It is a message saying, “Learn knowledge that changes your life rather than useless knowledge.”



Summary


The essence of this message is just this:👉 People are born equal

👉 But life is not equal

👉 “Learning” is what bridges that gap

Finally


If you are currently:• Lacking confidence

• Not doing well
• Comparing yourself to others
Even if you are in that state, it's okay.
Because

👉



You can change your life “from here on”Learning has the power to turn your past around 📚✨