Ralph Waldo Emerson

[Dave A]

At the time, I suggest the French and American concept of equality was still very much in its infancy, and a very long way off from where we are now (which is still far from satisfactory, frankly).

Where there was any chivalry and honour, it was pretty much confined to peer-to-peer at best I think. And among the privilege-by-birthright crowd, probably more a charade than anything else.

[Blurock]

At the time, I suggest the French and American concept of equality was still very much in its infancy, and a very long way off from where we are now (which is still far from satisfactory, frankly).

Where there was any chivalry and honour, it was pretty much confined to peer-to-peer at best I think. And among the privilege-by-birthright crowd, probably more a charade than anything else.

You may be right. It still happens today, where certain groupings of (privileged) people see themselves as being more important than others. That will explain how "other people" (race, religion, creed) could be killed with abandon without a feeling of guilt.

[pmbguy]

You may be right. It still happens today, where certain groupings of (privileged) people see themselves as being more important than others. That will explain how "other people" (race, religion, creed) could be killed with abandon without a feeling of guilt.

I agree.

I believe that humans have not really changed much in this regard since the beginning of time. I think that all people have evil and good in them, and they choose which shoulder to turn their ear to. When people become powerful it corrupts their balance of good and evil.