"There is no dignity in wickedness, whether in purple or rags; and hell is a democracy of devils, where all are equals"

Herman Melville’s statement examines the concept of moral equality independent of social status or appearance. The use of “purple” evokes the color historically associated with royalty, power, and elite status, while “rags” points to poverty and the lowest ranks of society. Melville subverts traditional notions of dignity by suggesting that true dignity is not inherent in social rank or material circumstance, but in the choices one makes and the character one possesses. If a person, whether a monarch in splendid robes or a destitute beggar, engages in wicked acts, there is no dignity to be found in their actions or their condition.

Melville escalates his argument by invoking the powerful metaphor of “hell as a democracy of devils.” Here, the landscape of hell is imagined as a place where hierarchy and rank are meaningless; wickedness makes everyone equal. Devils, symbols of ultimate moral corruption, are not divided by birth, wealth, or privilege. In hell, those who have embraced wickedness are stripped of all the trappings and distinctions that society treasures. The social structures that differentiate people on earth become absurd and irrelevant; all are united, and leveled, by their moral failings.

This radical equality stands as a warning: social privilege or impoverishment does not exempt anyone from moral judgment. No amount of royal status, symbolized by purple, can sanctify immoral behavior, just as no amount of destitution excuses it. The quote challenges the reader to recognize the futility of judging dignity or personal worth according to external signs. Instead, Melville prompts a deeper reflection on the intrinsic values that define true dignity, honesty, virtue, compassion, rather than superficial markers. His words serve as a critique of empty displays of authority or suffering, reminding us that in the final assessment, character and conduct are what matter; in moral terms, evil is the great equalizer.