Note 233 — Chapter XXI · Fundamental Laws of Socialistic Society.
Meta Stern Lilienthal translation
“All normal well developed human beings are born with approximately the same degree of intelligence, but education, laws and circumstances make them differ from one another. Individual interest, properly understood, is identical with the common or public interest.” Helvetius—Man and His Education. In regard to the great majority of men, Helvetius is right; what does differ are the talents for various occupations.