Full Idea
All citizens being equal in the eyes of the law are equally eligible to all honours, offices, and public employments, according to their abilities and without other distinction than that of their virtues and talents.
Gist of Idea
All citizens are eligible for roles in the state, purely on the basis of merit
Source
Mirabeau and committee (Declaration of the Rights of Man [1789], 06)
Book Reference
'Les Philosophes', ed/tr. Torrey,Norman L. [Perigee 1980], p.285
A Reaction
This proclamation of meritocracy must have rung bells around the cities of Europe, and was a reason why many people enjoyed being invaded by Napoleon.