A state, is called the coldest of all cold monsters…
““A state, is called the coldest of all cold monsters. Coldly lieth it also; and this lie creepeth from its mouth: "I, the state, am the people." It is a lie! Creators were they who created peoples, and hung a faith and a love over them: thus they served life. Destroyers, are they who lay snares for many, and call it the state: they hang a sword and a hundred cravings over them. Where there is still a people, there the state is not understood, but hated as the evil eye, and as sin against laws and customs.””
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 is portrayed as a deceptive, oppressive entity that claims to represent the people while actually enslaving them.
In simple terms: The state pretends to be the people but oppresses them.
Key Takeaway
Question authority and seek true freedom.
Themes
politics
power
freedom
illusion
authority
Mood
defiant
critical
hopeful
Type
philosophical
political
critical
When to use this quote
- activism
- political reform
- education
- community building
- civil disobedience
Key Concepts
nihilism
critical theory
social contract
Questions to Reflect On
- What does genuine community look like without oppressive structures?
- How can individuals resist state manipulation?
A Different Perspective
The state can also provide order and security for many.