Equality is not in regarding different things similarly, equality

The words of Tom Robbins—“Equality is not in regarding different things similarly, equality is in regarding different things differently.”—echo like a whisper of divine paradox, reminding us that true equality is not the flattening of all distinctions, but the honoring of every difference. In this single sentence, Robbins captures a truth that many societies, in their zeal for fairness, have too often forgotten: that sameness is not justice, and that to treat all beings the same is not to uplift them, but to ignore their nature. Equality, he teaches, is not a mirror that reflects one image for all, but a tapestry in which each thread—bright or dark, coarse or fine—finds its rightful place in the pattern of existence.

The origin of this quote lies in Robbins’ lifelong exploration of freedom, individuality, and the sacred absurdity of life. A novelist and philosopher of the modern age, he wrote not from ivory towers but from the wild terrain of the spirit. His words often danced between humor and mysticism, between rebellion and wisdom. In this quote, Robbins challenges a shallow interpretation of equality—the idea that fairness means uniformity. Instead, he points toward a deeper equality, one rooted in understanding, not imitation; in balance, not sameness. To regard different things differently is to honor their essence, to see their truth clearly, and to respond with justice that is alive, not mechanical.

The ancients, too, understood this truth. In the philosophy of Aristotle, justice is found not in giving all the same, but in giving each their due. The physician does not give every patient the same medicine, for that would be death disguised as equality. The farmer does not give the same water to every field, but tends each according to its soil and seed. Likewise, the wise ruler, the loving parent, the compassionate teacher—all practice the art of discerning difference, and through that discernment, they create harmony. To see difference and still seek fairness is the mark of wisdom; to deny difference in the name of equality is the mark of folly.

Consider the story of Franklin D. Roosevelt, who led his nation through the Great Depression. In his New Deal, he did not treat the rich and the poor alike. The wealthy were taxed more, and the suffering were given aid. To some, this seemed unequal; yet it was, in truth, the highest form of equality—one that recognized that those who have less need more, and those who have more can bear greater responsibility. Roosevelt understood what Robbins would later put into words: that equality is not about treating everyone identically, but about treating everyone justly. To regard different things differently is to acknowledge the reality of the world and to respond to it with wisdom, not blindness.

This teaching also pierces the heart of modern misunderstanding. Too often, societies confuse equity with uniformity. They seek to erase distinctions, to mold every soul into the same shape, believing that sameness will yield peace. Yet such sameness breeds sterility, not justice. The flower and the stone, the bird and the river—they do not need to be alike to have equal worth. The equality of creation lies in the fact that each fulfills its purpose in harmony with the others. When we respect differences—of race, gender, ability, or belief—we do not divide the world; we unite it, for we see it in its true and sacred complexity.

Robbins’ wisdom calls us to practice empathic equality—the art of seeing through another’s eyes. It asks us not to erase individuality, but to celebrate it. A society that regards all things similarly will crush genius and silence struggle; a society that regards all things differently, with care and discernment, will allow every soul to flourish according to its own nature. Equality, then, is not a single rule applied to all, but a living covenant that bends and breathes with compassion.

So, my child, remember this: to be just, you must first learn to see. Do not seek equality in sameness, but in understanding. Do not ask that all men and women walk the same path, but that all paths be free and fair. When you meet one who is strong, challenge them to use their strength for good; when you meet one who is weak, lend your strength to them. When you meet one unlike yourself, listen—not to judge, but to learn. For the wise know that only by regarding different things differently can the world find its balance, and only through balance can it find peace.

Thus, Tom Robbins’ words endure as both revelation and reminder: equality is not a rule—it is a relationship. It is the discipline of the heart to see difference not as a threat, but as a gift; not as division, but as the diversity of life itself. When we learn this, we will no longer speak of equality as an aspiration, but as a way of being—a harmony among many voices, where each sings its own note, and together they form the song of humanity.