The plain fact that no chain is stronger than its weakest link is one of the primary facts at the bottom of democracy and equality. Suppose, for instance, our society, or any society, were in serious danger. The fool would look first to the fortunate members of society to see whether they would lead us. The wise man would look first to the unfortunate members of society to see whether they would give us away. Modern Imperialism and hero-worship asks us to look for what it calls the “strongest man.” Ancient religion (with much more worldly wisdom) asked us to consider “the weaker brethren.” The simple reason is that the weaker brethren have everything in their hands. No chain is stronger than its weakest link. Therefore, the weakest links are the most important. The weakest links have the greatest power instantaneously to destroy the chain; the weakest links are the strongest.
-April 25, 1908, Illustrated London News
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