Each person can take part in the shared wealth. But not everyone takes part equally.

What does it depend on?

First, on what someone already has, his capital. Second, on his skill. But skill depends on capital again. And on circumstances. And on natural gifts, which differ from birth. This holds for body and mind alike.

The consequence:

In civil society, people are unequal. They are unequal in resources, in skill, even in culture and morals. This is a necessary consequence.

And the demand for equality?

Some set the demand for equality against this inequality. Their thinking is empty. They take a mere wish for reality. Nature makes people unequal. Society does not remove this. It even deepens it through spirit.

In this sphere, a remnant of the state of nature still lives on. But there is also an order in it. Society divides into fixed groups. The next paragraph deals with this.

Summary: Taking part in the shared wealth depends on capital, skill and natural gifts. So people are necessarily unequal. The demand for equality takes an empty wish for reality.