GRADATION 75 



Everywhere there is scale, gradation, grade. The 

 differences between individuals is not on the level 

 but on ascending stages. Even in very primitive 

 communities, where all men are equal to the extent 

 that there are no formal chiefs, one or two men 

 always stand out pre-eminently above the rest, 

 above the younger, the less skilful, the less 

 experienced. 



There is variation everywhere, and wherever 

 there is variation there is gradation. Living beings 

 are no more exactly equal than they are exactly 

 alike. Either in proficiency, or in speed, or in 

 strength, or in cunning, or in alertness, or in 

 general worth, one is superior to the other. We 

 determine which is the faster horse by pitting one 

 against the other in a race. We find out which is 

 the superior boxer by making the two men fight 

 each other. We find out which is the cleverest 

 boy by testing him at an examination. We expect 

 to determine which is the ablest political leader by 

 making him submit himself to a General Election. 

 We decide which is the most beautiful rose or orchid 

 by putting the various flowers before a committee 

 of judges. It is seldom possible to say with strict 

 accuracy which one individual is superior to the 

 other, and to arrange the various individuals in their 

 truly right place in the scale. But quite evidently 

 we do recognise the scale and recognise that 

 theoretically it is possible to grade each individual 

 on it, even though our practical methods may be 

 somewhat rough-and-ready. 



This fact that gradation, as well as variation, 

 exists is one of the great facts we have to note. 



