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About this quote

What does it mean?
Humans are not naturally enemies; it is flawed government systems that create conflict.
In plain terms
Bad systems make people fight each other.
What can you take from it?
Fix governments to stop human conflict.

Where it applies

  • political reform
  • social peace
  • leadership

Putting it to work

  • reforming institutions
  • promoting diplomacy

Questions to consider

  • What causes war?
  • How do systems affect people?

Another view

Some conflicts arise from competition beyond just government.

More from Thomas Paine

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  3. Perhaps the sentiments contained in the following pages, are not YET sufficiently fashionable to procure them general favour; a long habit of not thinking a th…

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