Business Quote by Albert J. Nock
“Like all predatory or parasitic institutions, the state's first instinct is that of self-preservati on. All its enterprises are directed first towards preserving its own life, and, second, towards increasing its own power and enlarging the scope of its own activity. For the sake of this it will, and regularly does, commit any crime which circumstances make expedient.”
About This Quote
Source Book: "The Theory of Money and Credit", 1912
The state prioritizes its survival and power, committing crimes when convenient to preserve itself.
In simple terms: State seeks self‑preservation and power, even via crime.
Key Takeaway
Question power structures critically.
Themes
politics
power
self‑preservation
crime
Mood
cautious
critical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- policy analysis
- activism
- historical study
Key Concepts
statecraft
ethical decay
institutional critique
Questions to Reflect On
- How does self‑preservation manifest in modern governments?
- What checks can limit state overreach?
A Different Perspective
Overgeneralizes all institutions; may ignore beneficial state functions.
![“If the State does not acquire supremacy over [vast private] enterprises, it becomes their puppet, and they become the real State.” quote by Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bad/bertrand-russell-69_acquire_if-the-state-does-not-acquire-supremacy_1379.jpg)
![“[S]ometimes, when you are a food person, the possible irrelevance of what you are doing doesn’t cross your mind until it’s too late. (Once, for example, when I was just starting out in the food business, I was hired by the caper people to develop a lot of recipes using capers, and it was weeks of…” quote by Nora Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d79/nora-ephron-1217_business_s-ometimes-when-you-are-a-food-person-th_980.jpg)
