I saw that the State was half-witted, that it was timid as a lone woman with her silver spoons, and that it did not know its friends from its foes, and I lost all my remaining respect for it, and pitied it.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The author sees the state as weak, indecisive, and unable to distinguish allies from enemies, leading to a loss of respect and pity.
- In plain terms
- The state is seen as timid and clueless, earning pity rather than respect.
- What can you take from it?
- Recognize the limits of government competence.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What evidence supports this view of the state?
- How can citizens improve governmental competence?
Another view
Overgeneralizing may ignore effective aspects of the state.
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