This paper challenges Richard Pring's suggestion that parents using private education may be undermining the desire for social justice and equality, using recent arguments of Adam Swift as a springboard. Swift's position on the banning of private schools, which uses a Rawlsian "veil of ignorance" argument, is explored, and it is suggested that, if equality of opportunity is a major aim, it does not go far enough by permitting parental partiality. If the only alternative is a Platonic state, then this may be acceptable. But a neglected third scenario, drawing on the insights of Adam Smith, shows "self-love" to be a valuable social virtue, leading to a more favourable resolution of the "paradox of the shipwreck" than that explored by Swift. Pointers are given to evidence from developing countries and a more detailed "veil of ignorance" argument to support this case.