The Welfare Theorems

Failure of the First Welfare Theorem
thick indifference curve
A thick indifference curve

Proving the First Welfare Theorem requires that in any equilibrium, any consumption bundle which is better for consumer $n$ costs more. This is just what preference maximization on the budget set means. The proof requires more; specifically, than any bundle which is at least as good costs at least as much. This is exactly what fails in the figure — a thick indifference curve.