The State always moves slowly and grudgingly towards any…
“The State always moves slowly and grudgingly towards any purpose that accrues to society's advantage, but moves rapidly and with alacrity towards one that accrues to its own advantage; nor does it ever move towards social purposes on its own initiative, but only under heavy pressure, while its motion towards anti-social purposes is self-sprung.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The state acts slowly when serving public good but quickly when serving its own interests, and only changes under pressure; it initiates harmful actions on its own.
In simple terms: The government is lazy for public benefit, eager for self‑interest, and needs pressure to act for society.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and counteract self‑serving policies.
Themes
government
self‑interest
public good
pressure
Mood
skeptical
critical
urgent
Type
analytical
political
When to use this quote
- policy reform
- civic activism
- public advocacy
- watchdog journalism
- community organizing
Key Concepts
political economy
institutional inertia
collective action
Questions to Reflect On
- How can citizens identify self‑serving policies?
- What mechanisms ensure government accountability?
A Different Perspective
Self‑interest can be hidden behind rhetoric, making detection hard.