The fabric of a mighty state, which has been reared by the…
“The fabric of a mighty state, which has been reared by the labours of successive ages, could not be overturned by the misfortune of a single day, if the fatal power of the imagination did not exaggerate the real measure of the calamity.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A state's stability endures beyond daily misfortunes unless collective imagination inflates crises.
In simple terms: Societies survive short crises unless people overreact.
Beware collective panic in crises.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- political analysis
- public policy
- media narratives
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What role does imagination play in crises?
- How can societies mitigate overreaction?
Exaggerated fear can destabilize societies.