All men are created equal, it is only men themselves who place

“All men are created equal; it is only men themselves who place themselves above equality.” Thus spoke David Allan Coe, in words both humble and profound. Though he was a man of music and rebellion, not of thrones or philosophy, his saying carries the weight of timeless truth. For in this declaration lies the essence of human dignity—that equality is not something granted by kings or governments, but something woven into the soul of every living being. The tragedy, however, is that mankind, in its pride, forgets this divine balance and builds towers of arrogance upon the sacred ground of brotherhood.

From the beginning of civilization, the truth of equality has been inscribed in the human heart, yet forgotten in human deeds. Nations have proclaimed it, prophets have cried it, and philosophers have reasoned it, yet still the world divides itself—by race, by wealth, by faith, by power. What David Allan Coe reminds us is that inequality does not come from nature or heaven; it is a human invention, a creation of ego and ambition. The earth itself makes no distinction between the feet that walk upon it—the dust welcomes emperor and beggar alike. It is mankind, not creation, that draws lines between souls and crowns itself master over others.

To understand this truth, one must recall the words of Thomas Jefferson, who, in the Declaration of Independence, wrote that “all men are created equal.” Jefferson’s line became the heartbeat of America, yet Coe, speaking centuries later, saw how often humanity betrays that ideal. For Jefferson spoke of equality as an ideal bestowed by the Creator; Coe saw it as a state betrayed by man. The one declared the principle; the other mourned its failure. And both, in their own way, pointed toward the same divine truth—that no man was born to bow to another, nor to trample him, but to walk beside him in mutual respect.

Consider the story of Mahatma Gandhi, a frail man of quiet strength, who stood against the British Empire armed only with truth and humility. Gandhi believed, as Coe did, that all men are equal—not by the measure of might or intellect, but by the divine spark within them. Yet he also saw how greed, power, and pride corrupt the human heart, leading some to exalt themselves as gods over their fellows. Gandhi’s struggle was not only against imperial rule, but against the illusion of superiority that infects all societies. His victory was not in conquest, but in the revelation that equality is not achieved through dominance, but through conscience and compassion.

Coe’s quote, though born in the modern age, reflects the ancient wisdom known to prophets and philosophers alike: that the universe is built on balance, and when man upsets that balance through arrogance, he invites chaos. The moment one soul believes itself greater by birth, wealth, or station, the harmony of creation trembles. The proud divide themselves from their brothers, and in doing so, divide themselves from truth. For true greatness is not found in standing above others, but in lifting others beside you. The wise have always known that humility is not weakness, but strength guided by understanding.

And yet, this wisdom is not easily lived. In every age, humanity builds new hierarchies, new idols, new illusions of superiority. One man believes his blood more noble, another his wealth more worthy, another his belief more pure. But all these vanish before time’s silent judgment. The crown turns to dust; the coin corrodes; the empire fades. What remains is what cannot be taken—the soul equal in worth to all others. Coe’s words remind us that equality is not a state to be achieved, but a truth to be remembered. We are born equal in essence, yet we forget and must relearn this truth with every generation.

The lesson, then, is both simple and profound: humility restores equality. Look upon your neighbor and see not their station, but their humanity. Do not measure worth by appearance, wealth, or opinion, for these are fleeting shadows. Measure instead by the heart’s capacity for kindness, courage, and truth. If you rise, lift another; if you have power, use it to protect, not to dominate. The moment you think yourself above others, you have fallen below your own potential. To honor equality is to honor the divine order—to walk in harmony with truth itself.

So remember the wisdom of David Allan Coe, children of tomorrow: all men are created equal, but it is we who corrupt that balance by placing ourselves above it. Guard your heart against pride, for pride builds walls where equality builds bridges. Let your life be a testament not to superiority, but to solidarity. For when humanity finally learns to live the equality it was born with, the world will no longer belong to the powerful or the proud—it will belong to the just, the compassionate, and the wise.