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About this quote

What does it mean?
Governments reflect the nations that create them, often reciprocating their flaws.
In plain terms
Governments act like the people who made them.
What can you take from it?
Government reflects the society it serves.

Where it applies

  • political analysis
  • civic education
  • historical review

Putting it to work

  • critiquing governance
  • understanding systems
  • civic duty

Questions to consider

  • Who controls whom?
  • How does society shape government?

Another view

It implies governments have no independent role.

More from Joseph Conrad

  1. A man's real life is that accorded to him in the thoughts of other men by reason of respect or natural love.

    Permalink to quote #61
  2. They talk of a man betraying his country, his friends, his sweetheart. There must be a moral bond first. All a man can betray is his conscience.

    Permalink to quote #63
  3. I take it that what all men are really after is some form or perhaps only some formula of peace.

    Permalink to quote #60

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