人人生而平等，但后天的条件会限制一个人的发展。相信人人生而平等才能善待自己和善待他人。这个信念体现在简.爱

对罗切斯特的话中：“我现在跟你说话，并不是通过习俗、惯例，甚至不是通过凡人的肉体-而是我的精神在同你的精神说话；就像我们都经过了坟墓，站在上帝脚跟前，是平等的——因为我们是平等的。”

（I am not talking to you now through the medium of custom, conventionalities, nor even of mortal flesh: it is my spirit that addresses your spirit; just as if both had passed through the grave, and we stood at God's feet, equal — as we are!）