Government is the thing. Law is the thing. Not brotherhood, not international cooperation, not security councils that can stop war only by waging it... Where does security lie, anyway - security against the thief, a bad man, the murderer? In brotherly love? Not at all. It lies in government.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Government and law provide security against threats, not abstract concepts like brotherhood.
- In plain terms
- Security comes from laws and government, not just love between people.
- What can you take from it?
- Laws and government create safety.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Can laws alone provide safety?
- Is brotherhood enough for security?
Another view
Security also depends on social bonds, not just state power.
More from E. B. (Elwyn Brooks) White
We received a letter from the Writers' War Board the other day asking for a statement on 'The Meaning of Democracy.' It is presumably our duty to comply with s…
Permalink to quote #10 I am a member of a party of one, and I live in an age of fear. Nothing lately has unsettled my party and raised my fears so much as your editorial, on Thanksgi…
Permalink to quote #12 Humor can be dissected, as a frog can, but the thing dies in the process and the innards are discouraging to any but the pure scientific mind.
Permalink to quote #9
Related quotes
Having been informed of events by Vice-Chancellor von Papen, President Hindenburg summoned General Goering, in his capacity of Chief of Police, and myself to N…
Werner von BlombergWerner von Blomberg quote #4 In this shrinking world, it is futile to seek safety behind geographical barriers. Real security will be found only in law and in justice. Here in America, we …
Harry S. TrumanHarry S. Truman quote #29 A single assembly will never be a steady guardian of the laws, if Machiavel is right, when he says, Men are never good but through necessity: on the contrary, …
John AdamsJohn Adams quote #80