---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The nation that buys commands, the nation…"
description: "\"The nation that buys commands, the nation that sells serves; it is necessary to balance trade in order to ensure freedom; the country that wants to die..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aad/jose-marti-3352_balance_the-nation-that-buys-commands-the-nation_925226.jpg"
---

#  The nation that buys commands, the nation that sells…

![“The nation that buys commands, the nation that sells serves; it is necessary to balance trade in order to ensure freedom; the country that wants to die sells only to one country , and the country that wants to survive sells to more than one.” quote by Jose Marti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aad/jose-marti-3352_balance_the-nation-that-buys-commands-the-nation_925226.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aad/jose-marti-3352_balance_the-nation-that-buys-commands-the-nation_925226.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aad/jose-marti-3352_balance_the-nation-that-buys-commands-the-nation_925226.jpg)

> “The nation that buys commands, the nation that sells serves; it is necessary to balance trade in order to ensure freedom; the country that wants to die sells only to one country , and the country that wants to survive sells to more than one.”

[Jose Marti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-marti/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A nation must balance trade—selling and buying—to preserve freedom and avoid dependence on a single partner.

**In simple terms:** Balance trade to ensure freedom.

Key Takeaway

Maintain diverse trade relationships.

Themes

economics freedom trade balance

Mood

analytical concerned

Type

political economic

When to use this quote

- policy making
- economic planning
- international negotiations
- business strategy

Key Concepts

national sovereignty global interdependence

Questions to Reflect On

- How can a country diversify trade?
- What risks arise from over‑reliance on one market?

A Different Perspective

Political pressures may force imbalanced trade.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Balance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/balance/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) [Patriotism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patriotism/) [Trade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trade/)

## Related quotes

> [We are fighting against a traitor who sells the country to the Singaporean government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sondhi-limthongkul/we-are-fighting-against-a-traitor-who-sells-the-country-to-the/)

Sondhi Limthongkul

> [Gold and silver are but merchandise, as well as cloth or linen; and that nation that buys the least, and sells the most, must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/gold-and-silver-are-but-merchandise-as-well-as-cloth-or-linen-and/)

[Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/)

> [A government that cannot survive truth and must resort to stamping out truth is not a government that any country wants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-craig-roberts/a-government-that-cannot-survive-truth-and-must-resort-to-stamping/)

[Paul Craig Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-craig-roberts/)

> [When a country wants television more than they want clean water, they've lost their grip.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-black/when-a-country-wants-television-more-than-they-want-clean-water-they/)

[Lewis Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-black/)

> [If history is really relevant in today's world, the proposition doesn't command much respect. Perhaps the past is a different country, but if so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-janeway/if-history-is-really-relevant-in-today-s-world-the-proposition-doesn/)

[Elizabeth Janeway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-janeway/)

> [Any country that wants to lower its mobile phone rates, all they need to do is bring in an aggressive player.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xavier-niel/any-country-that-wants-to-lower-its-mobile-phone-rates-all-they-need/)

[Xavier Niel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xavier-niel/)

> [There's a reason that you hear something like 90 percent of our country wants universal background checks, but we can't get it passed legislatively.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mj-hegar/there-s-a-reason-that-you-hear-something-like-90-percent-of-our/)

[MJ Hegar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mj-hegar/)

> [If your country wants you to play, you really want to go and play as well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelechi-iheanacho/if-your-country-wants-you-to-play-you-really-want-to-go-and-play-as/)

[Kelechi Iheanacho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelechi-iheanacho/)

> [The farmers may be the backbone of the country, but who wants to be a backbone?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-scott-fitzgerald/the-farmers-may-be-the-backbone-of-the-country-but-who-wants-to-be-a/)

[F. Scott Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-scott-fitzgerald/)

> [Everybody in this country who wants to should be able to get as much education as they want. Education is the best resource we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-hinchey/everybody-in-this-country-who-wants-to-should-be-able-to-get-as-much/)

[Maurice Hinchey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-hinchey/)

> [There is a gay and secular fascism in this country that wants to impose its will on the rest of us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/newt-gingrich/there-is-a-gay-and-secular-fascism-in-this-country-that-wants-to/)

[Newt Gingrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/newt-gingrich/)

> [I don't say every country has to leave the euro... But we have to leave the possibility if a country wants to leave.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marine-le-pen/i-don-t-say-every-country-has-to-leave-the-euro-but-we-have-to-leave/)

[Marine Le Pen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marine-le-pen/)

> [This country always wants the underdog to win, that's in our nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bruce/this-country-always-wants-the-underdog-to-win-that-s-in-our-nature/)

[Steve Bruce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bruce/)

> [Every country wants to protect its athletes because it's ultimately Germany vs. Spain, America vs. China; sports are an extension of the government because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-fogel/every-country-wants-to-protect-its-athletes-because-it-s-ultimately/)

[Bryan Fogel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-fogel/)

> [This country wants to live in the illusion that it is tolerant but also wants to be able to practice intolerance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/junot-diaz/this-country-wants-to-live-in-the-illusion-that-it-is-tolerant-but/)

[Junot Diaz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/junot-diaz/)

## More by Jose Marti

> [Only those who hate the Negro see hatred in the Negro.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-marti/only-those-who-hate-the-negro-see-hatred-in-the-negro/)

[Jose Marti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-marti/)

> [Treacherous assassins, enemies of the people, and worthy of everyone's ridicule are those who, under the pretext of guiding future generations, teach them an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-marti/treacherous-assassins-enemies-of-the-people-and-worthy-of-everyone-s/)

[Jose Marti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-marti/)

> [To use for our exclusive benefit what is not ours is theft.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-marti/to-use-for-our-exclusive-benefit-what-is-not-ours-is-theft/)

[Jose Marti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-marti/)

> [To beautify life is to give it an object.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-marti/to-beautify-life-is-to-give-it-an-object/)

[Jose Marti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-marti/)

> [America is a land of creators and rebels.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-marti/america-is-a-land-of-creators-and-rebels/)

[Jose Marti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-marti/)

> [Cultivo una rosa blanca, En julio como en enero, Para el amigo sincero Que me da su mano franca. Y para el cruel que…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-marti/cultivo-una-rosa-blanca-en-julio-como-en-enero-para-el-amigo-sincero/)

[Jose Marti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-marti/)

> [All is beautiful and unceasing, all is music and reason, and all, like diamond, is carbon first, then light.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-marti/all-is-beautiful-and-unceasing-all-is-music-and-reason-and-all-like/)

[Jose Marti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-marti/)

> [Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-marti/love-is-the-bond-between-men-the-way-to-teach-and-the-center-of-the/)

[Jose Marti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-marti/)

> [One revolution is still necessary: the one that will not end with the rule of its leader. It will be the revolution against revolutions,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-marti/one-revolution-is-still-necessary-the-one-that-will-not-end-with-the/)

[Jose Marti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-marti/)

> [I come from all places and to all places I go: I am art among the arts and mountain among mountains. I know the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-marti/i-come-from-all-places-and-to-all-places-i-go-i-am-art-among-the-arts/)

[Jose Marti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-marti/)

> [Fortunately, there is a sane equilibrium in the character of nations, as there is in that of men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-marti/fortunately-there-is-a-sane-equilibrium-in-the-character-of-nations/)

[Jose Marti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-marti/)

> [An insatiable appetite for glory leads to sacrifice and death, but innate instinct leads to self-preservation and life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-marti/an-insatiable-appetite-for-glory-leads-to-sacrifice-and-death-but/)

[Jose Marti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-marti/)

> [Our wine is bitter, but it is our wine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-marti/our-wine-is-bitter-but-it-is-our-wine/)

[Jose Marti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-marti/)

> [Others go to bed with their mistresses; I with my ideas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-marti/others-go-to-bed-with-their-mistresses-i-with-my-ideas/)

[Jose Marti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-marti/)

> [One just principle from the depths of a cave is more powerful than an army.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-marti/one-just-principle-from-the-depths-of-a-cave-is-more-powerful-than-an/)

[Jose Marti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-marti/)

[Explore all 118 Jose Marti quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-marti/)

## More Balance quotes

> [Balance suggests a perfect equilibrium. There is no such thing. That is a false expectation… There are going to be priorities and dimensions of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-morrison/balance-suggests-a-perfect-equilibrium-there-is-no-such-thing-that-is/)

[Denise Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-morrison/)

> [The bones of my architecture are very much related to the structure, to the physical fact of how a building can stand up; it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/santiago-calatrava/the-bones-of-my-architecture-are-very-much-related-to-the-structure/)

[Santiago Calatrava](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/santiago-calatrava/)

> [I can still function when I don't have that balance I crave. I had a tendency to be precious about acting, thinking of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-regan/i-can-still-function-when-i-don-t-have-that-balance-i-crave-i-had-a/)

[Laura Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-regan/)

> [she got a reputation for an easy smile and a sharp tongue, and using one to balance the other, she seemed friendly but distant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-allison/she-got-a-reputation-for-an-easy-smile-and-a-sharp-tongue-and-using/)

[Dorothy Allison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-allison/)

> [Life's unfairness is not irrevocable; we can help balance the scales for others, if not always for ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-h-humphrey/life-s-unfairness-is-not-irrevocable-we-can-help-balance-the-scales/)

[Hubert H. Humphrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-h-humphrey/)

> [“We don't need to strive towards balance, we rather need to work on the obstacles that are preventing the natural flow of balance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-a-alebraheem/we-don-t-need-to-strive-towards-balance-we-rather-need-to-work-on-the/)

[A.A. Alebraheem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-a-alebraheem/)

> [I think that kind of balance comes with the process of growing together as a band, the Little Dragon. We love to write, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yukimi-nagano/i-think-that-kind-of-balance-comes-with-the-process-of-growing/)

[Yukimi Nagano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yukimi-nagano/)

> [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [At times of recession, running a budget deficit is highly desirable. Once the economy begins to recover, you have to balance the budget. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-soros/at-times-of-recession-running-a-budget-deficit-is-highly-desirable/)

[George Soros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-soros/)

> [It's my intention to make something stand outside the realm of album art, but it also feels comfortable to me to be in it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dyer-baizley/it-s-my-intention-to-make-something-stand-outside-the-realm-of-album/)

[John Dyer Baizley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dyer-baizley/)

> [Once you've gotten your money in balance, you know how much you have to spend on things that are just fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-warren/once-you-ve-gotten-your-money-in-balance-you-know-how-much-you-have/)

[Elizabeth Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-warren/)

> [I never understood how much running changes your life. I'm now obsessed. When not trying to beat my personal best, I'm talking to other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadiq-khan/i-never-understood-how-much-running-changes-your-life-i-m-now/)

[Sadiq Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadiq-khan/)

> [Whatever needed to be done, I need to know how to do it just as well as my wife. You know, for us to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-isbell/whatever-needed-to-be-done-i-need-to-know-how-to-do-it-just-as-well/)

[Jason Isbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-isbell/)

> [I don't think my parents would have let me go straight into acting full time when I was 12. I do like to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felicity-jones/i-don-t-think-my-parents-would-have-let-me-go-straight-into-acting/)

[Felicity Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felicity-jones/)

> [When it comes down to music, I have no balance. I am 100 percent. It is like full throttle. Five hundred miles an hour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yanni/when-it-comes-down-to-music-i-have-no-balance-i-am-100-percent-it-is/)

[Yanni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yanni/)

[Browse all 5,166 Balance quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/balance/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "The nation that buys commands, the nation that sells serves; it is necessary to balance trade in order to ensure freedom; the country that wants to die sells only to one country , and the country that wants to survive sells to more than one.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Jose Marti"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-marti/the-nation-that-buys-commands-the-nation-that-sells-serves-it-is/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Balance"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-marti/the-nation-that-buys-commands-the-nation-that-sells-serves-it-is/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aad/jose-marti-3352_balance_the-nation-that-buys-commands-the-nation_925226.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aad/jose-marti-3352_balance_the-nation-that-buys-commands-the-nation_925226.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aad/jose-marti-3352_balance_the-nation-that-buys-commands-the-nation_925226.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“The nation that buys commands, the nation that sells serves; it is necessary to balance trade in order to…” — Jose Marti",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Jose Marti",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-marti/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "The nation that buys commands, the...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-marti/the-nation-that-buys-commands-the-nation-that-sells-serves-it-is/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-marti/the-nation-that-buys-commands-the-nation-that-sells-serves-it-is/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
