--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Considering mankind's indifference to…" description: "\"Considering mankind's indifference to freedom, their easy gullibility and their facile response to conditioning, one might very plausibly argue that co..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5f/albert-j-nock-9816_arguing_considering-mankind-s-indifference-to-fr_1671384.jpg" --- # Considering mankind's indifference to freedom, their easy… ![“Considering mankind's indifference to freedom, their easy gullibility and their facile response to conditioning, one might very plausibly argue that collectivism is the political mode best suited to their disposition and their capacities. Under its regime, the citizen, like the soldier, is…” quote by Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5f/albert-j-nock-9816_arguing_considering-mankind-s-indifference-to-fr_1671384.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5f/albert-j-nock-9816_arguing_considering-mankind-s-indifference-to-fr_1671384.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5f/albert-j-nock-9816_arguing_considering-mankind-s-indifference-to-fr_1671384.jpg) > “Considering mankind's indifference to freedom, their easy gullibility and their facile response to conditioning, one might very plausibly argue that collectivism is the political mode best suited to their disposition and their capacities. Under its regime, the citizen, like the soldier, is relieved of the burden of initiative and is divested of all responsibility, save for doing as he is told.” [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Collectivism eases personal responsibility by assigning duties to the state, appealing to human tendencies toward obedience. **In simple terms:** Collectivism reduces individual burden. Key Takeaway Question the cost of relinquishing initiative. Themes politics freedom responsibility Mood critical analytical Type philosophical political When to use this quote - government policy - workplace hierarchies - social movements - education systems Key Concepts collectivism human nature Questions to Reflect On - Do you value autonomy over security? - What are the risks of surrendering personal agency? A Different Perspective Overreliance on authority can stifle innovation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Argue Collectivism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/argue-collectivism-862803/) [Arguing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arguing/) [Burden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/burden/) [Capacity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capacity/) [Citizens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/citizens/) [Collectivism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/collectivism/) [Collectivism Political](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/collectivism-political-862802/) [Conditioning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conditioning/) [Considering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/considering/) [Disposition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disposition/) [Easy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/easy/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Gullibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gullibility/) [Indifference](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/indifference/) [Indifference Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/indifference-freedom-862804/) [Initiative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/initiative/) [Mankind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mankind/) [Might](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/might/) [Political](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political/) [Regime Citizen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regime-citizen-862805/) [Regimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regimes/) [Relieved](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relieved/) [Response](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/response/) [Responsibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/responsibility/) [Soldier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soldier/) ## Related quotes > [The superficial distinctions of Fascism, Bolshevism, Hitlerism, are the concern of journalists and publicists; the serious student sees in them only one root-idea of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/the-superficial-distinctions-of-fascism-bolshevism-hitlerism-are-the/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) > [By consequence I hold that no one ever did, or can do, anything for "society."... Comte invented the term altruism as an antonym for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/by-consequence-i-hold-that-no-one-ever-did-or-can-do-anything-for/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) > [Hatred as well as love, renders its votaries credulous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/hatred-as-well-as-love-renders-its-votaries-credulous/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Tell people there's an invisible man in the sky who created the universe, and the vast majority will believe you. Tell them the paint…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/tell-people-there-s-an-invisible-man-in-the-sky-who-created-the/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [If you are only skeptical, then no new ideas make it through to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/if-you-are-only-skeptical-then-no-new-ideas-make-it-through-to-you/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) > [Credulity is always a ridiculous, often a dangerous failing: it has made of many a clever man, a fool; and of many a good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-wright/credulity-is-always-a-ridiculous-often-a-dangerous-failing-it-has/) [Frances Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-wright/) > [“Let us not be content with merely ‘formatting’ generations, but instead, focus on cultivating and enlightening them, ensuring independent thinking where acceptance is in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-pevernagie/let-us-not-be-content-with-merely-formatting-generations-but-instead/) [Erik Pevernagie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-pevernagie/) > [Denunciations of the manipulativeness of advertisers can unfortunately all too easily be turned on their heads into denunciations of the gullibility of consumers. Both…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee-2/denunciations-of-the-manipulativeness-of-advertisers-can/) [J. M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee-2/) > [I prefer credulity to skepticism and cynicism for there is more promise in almost anything than in nothing at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-prefer-credulity-to-skepticism-and-cynicism-for-there-is-more/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It is human nature to want to believe in the wizardry of the magician--but also to turn against him and to scorn him the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/it-is-human-nature-to-want-to-believe-in-the-wizardry-of-the-magician/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [According to the estimate of a prominent advertising firm, above 90 per cent, of the earning capacity of the prominent nostrums is represented by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-hopkins-adams/according-to-the-estimate-of-a-prominent-advertising-firm-above-90/) [Samuel Hopkins Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-hopkins-adams/) > [I have a plan. It entails leading to a fair deal and relationship with the British. We will be reasonable, but we will also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-claude-juncker/i-have-a-plan-it-entails-leading-to-a-fair-deal-and-relationship-with/) [Jean-Claude Juncker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-claude-juncker/) > [Cynicism, like gullibility, is a symptom of underdeveloped critical faculties.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-whyte/cynicism-like-gullibility-is-a-symptom-of-underdeveloped-critical/) [Jamie Whyte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-whyte/) > [“If you are inherently a good guy, which I think I am, you instinctively want to help people even before you know what their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-skinner/if-you-are-inherently-a-good-guy-which-i-think-i-am-you-instinctively/) [Dan Skinner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-skinner/) > [Gullibility and credulity are considered undesireable qualities in every department of human life - except religion ... Why are we praised by godly men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/gullibility-and-credulity-are-considered-undesireable-qualities-in/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) ## More by Albert J. Nock > [The State, on the other hand, both in its genesis and by its primary intention, is purely anti-social. It is not based on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/the-state-on-the-other-hand-both-in-its-genesis-and-by-its-primary/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) > [When we speak freely, let us speak plainly, for plain speech is wholesome; especially, plain speech about public affairs and public men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/when-we-speak-freely-let-us-speak-plainly-for-plain-speech-is/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) > [The practical reason for freedom is that freedom seems to be the only condition under which any kind of substantial moral fiber can be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/the-practical-reason-for-freedom-is-that-freedom-seems-to-be-the-only/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) > [Like all predatory or parasitic institutions, its first instinct is that of self-preservation. All its enterprises are directed first towards preserving its own life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/like-all-predatory-or-parasitic-institutions-its-first-instinct-is/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) > [The simple truth is that our businessmen do not want a government that will let business alone. They want a government they can use.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/the-simple-truth-is-that-our-businessmen-do-not-want-a-government/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) > [Above all things the mass-mind is most bitterly resentful of superiority. It will not tolerate the thought of an elite; and under a political…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/above-all-things-the-mass-mind-is-most-bitterly-resentful-of/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) > [By consequence I hold that no one ever did, or can do, anything for "society."... Comte invented the term altruism as an antonym for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/by-consequence-i-hold-that-no-one-ever-did-or-can-do-anything-for/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) > [It is certainly true that whatever a man may do or say, the most significant thing about him is what he thinks; and significant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/it-is-certainly-true-that-whatever-a-man-may-do-or-say-the-most/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) > [The positive testimony of history is that the State invariably had its origin in conquest and confiscation. No primitive State known to history originated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/the-positive-testimony-of-history-is-that-the-state-invariably-had/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) > [Instead of recognizing the State as ‘the common enemy of all well-disposed, industrious and decent men,’ the run of mankind, with rare exceptions, regards…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/instead-of-recognizing-the-state-as-the-common-enemy-of-all-well-2/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) > [There are two methods, or means, and only two, whereby man's needs and desires can be satisfied. One is the production and exchange of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/there-are-two-methods-or-means-and-only-two-whereby-man-s-needs-and/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) > [Personal publicity of every kind is utterly distasteful to me, and I have made greater efforts to escape it than most people make to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/personal-publicity-of-every-kind-is-utterly-distasteful-to-me-and-i/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) > [It is interesting to observe that in the year 1935 the average individual's incurious attitude towards the phenomenon of the State is precisely what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/it-is-interesting-to-observe-that-in-the-year-1935-the-average/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) > [I am said to be difficult of acquaintance, unwilling to meet any one half way, and showing a social manner which is easy, not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/i-am-said-to-be-difficult-of-acquaintance-unwilling-to-meet-any-one/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) > [The question of who is right and who is wrong has seemed to me always too small to be worth a moment's thought, while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/the-question-of-who-is-right-and-who-is-wrong-has-seemed-to-me-always/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) [Explore all 70 Albert J. Nock quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) ## More Arguing quotes > [I do wish you wouldn't argue with me when I'm knitting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-durrell/i-do-wish-you-wouldn-t-argue-with-me-when-i-m-knitting/) [Gerald Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-durrell/) > [Any comprehensive doctrine, religious or secular, can be introduced into any political argument at any time, but I argue that people who do this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rawls/any-comprehensive-doctrine-religious-or-secular-can-be-introduced/) [John Rawls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rawls/) > [It's fine to talk about politics with people you agree with. But it is rude to argue about politics with people you disagree with.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-lessig/it-s-fine-to-talk-about-politics-with-people-you-agree-with-but-it-is/) [Lawrence Lessig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-lessig/) > [Men are fair, and they have learned not to personalize anger - they can disagree with you and argue to the bone, but afterward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-farrell/men-are-fair-and-they-have-learned-not-to-personalize-anger-they-can/) [Warren Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-farrell/) > [When Eudæmonidas heard a philosopher arguing that only a wise man can be a good general, "This is a wonderful speech," said he; "but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/when-eud-monidas-heard-a-philosopher-arguing-that-only-a-wise-man-can/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Fasting is required, staying away from fighting and arguing and bombing of masjids is still going on. Hatred is still manifested between Sunni and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-farrakhan/fasting-is-required-staying-away-from-fighting-and-arguing-and/) [Louis Farrakhan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-farrakhan/) > [The problem for the Left, however, is that the moment it stops painting the Right as vile, it has to argue the issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-prager/the-problem-for-the-left-however-is-that-the-moment-it-stops-painting/) [Dennis Prager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-prager/) > [To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/to-argue-with-a-person-who-has-renounced-the-use-of-reason-is-like/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [You can argue that the Terminator movies reboot their world each time they go back in time, but that doesn't negate the value of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hayter/you-can-argue-that-the-terminator-movies-reboot-their-world-each-time/) [David Hayter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hayter/) > [We may argue eloquently that 'Honesty is the best Policy' - unfortunately, the moment honesty is adopted for the sake of policy it mysteriously…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/we-may-argue-eloquently-that-honesty-is-the-best-policy-unfortunately/) [Dorothy L. 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