Meaning: This quote by Olive Schreiner, a South African writer, reflects on the intrinsic equality of all people throughout their lives. It captures the idea that regardless of our differences in social status, wealth, or power, we all enter the world as equals and will ultimately leave it as equals. The quote evokes the cyclical nature of life, emphasizing that our journey from birth to death brings us full circle to a state of equality.

In the first part of the quote, Schreiner references the time when we were "equals once" as "new-born babes on our nurse's knees." This imagery conveys the vulnerability and innocence of infancy, a stage in life where societal hierarchies and divisions have yet to influence our sense of worth. It suggests that at the moment of birth, we are stripped of any external markers of status and are purely human, sharing a fundamental equality with all other newborns.

The second part of the quote, "We will be equal again when they tie up our jaws for the last sleep," addresses the finality of death and the universal experience of mortality. Regardless of one's achievements or position in life, the inevitability of death serves as the great equalizer, rendering all individuals equally powerless in the face of their mortality. The act of "tying up our jaws for the last sleep" symbolizes the finality and impartiality of death, emphasizing that in the end, we will all be reduced to the same state of equality.

Schreiner's quote carries a profound message about the transient and illusory nature of societal hierarchies and divisions. It highlights the underlying equality that exists within every individual, regardless of external circumstances or societal constructs. By drawing attention to the shared experiences of birth and death, Schreiner emphasizes the universal truths that unite humanity and transcend the artificial boundaries that often separate us.

Moreover, the quote invites contemplation on the nature of equality and the ways in which we perceive and treat others throughout the course of life. It challenges the notion of superiority or inferiority based on external factors and encourages a deeper understanding of the fundamental equality that binds all human beings together.

In conclusion, Olive Schreiner's quote encapsulates the timeless truth of human equality, reminding us that regardless of the divisions and hierarchies that exist in the world, we are all fundamentally equal in our vulnerability, mortality, and shared human experience. It serves as a poignant reflection on the cyclical nature of life and the universal equality that transcends societal distinctions. This quote prompts us to consider the ways in which we acknowledge and honor the inherent equality of all individuals, both in life and in death, and to strive for a more inclusive and empathetic understanding of our common humanity.

Overall, Schreiner's quote offers a powerful and thought-provoking perspective on the nature of equality, inviting us to contemplate our shared humanity and the ways in which we perceive and interact with others throughout our lives.