Politics Quote by Charles Stross
““There are races that do not enslave, do not slay, do not war. There are races which do not lie or falsify. You think them weak? But they are among the strongest and finest denizens of the Will. They waste no treasure, nor time, nor grief, nor lives, nor blood, to maintain the ungainly apparatus of suspicion and bloodshed you call government, the princes and policemen and hangmen without which you humans dare not risk to live with each other. Weak? So would savages, whose every cottage was a fortress and every door a barricade, think your race.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: "The Last Days of New Paris", Charles Stross, 2016
Some societies thrive without violence or suspicion, showing strength in honesty and cooperation rather than militarism.
In simple terms: Peaceful societies can be strongest.
Key Takeaway
Value honesty and cooperation over fear.
Themes
peace
honesty
strength
societal structure
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- community building
- conflict resolution
- policy design
Key Concepts
Anarchism
cooperation
political theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies reduce suspicion?
- What are the costs of a non‑violent governance?
A Different Perspective
Idealistic view may ignore practical security needs.
