--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The truth is that the State is a…" description: "\"The truth is that the State is a conspiracy designed not only to exploit, but above all to corrupt its citizens... Henceforth, I shall never serve any ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0a/leo-tolstoy-55_citizens_the-truth-is-that-the-state-is-a-conspir_2545731.png" --- # The truth is that the State is a conspiracy designed not… ![“The truth is that the State is a conspiracy designed not only to exploit, but above all to corrupt its citizens... Henceforth, I shall never serve any government anywhere.” quote by Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0a/leo-tolstoy-55_citizens_the-truth-is-that-the-state-is-a-conspir_2545731.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0a/leo-tolstoy-55_citizens_the-truth-is-that-the-state-is-a-conspir_2545731.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0a/leo-tolstoy-55_citizens_the-truth-is-that-the-state-is-a-conspir_2545731.png) > “The truth is that the State is a conspiracy designed not only to exploit, but above all to corrupt its citizens... Henceforth, I shall never serve any government anywhere.” [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) ## 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 can become a corrupt force that exploits and degrades citizens, prompting rejection of its authority. **In simple terms:** Governments can be corrupt and harmful. Key Takeaway Consider the limits of governmental power. Themes politics corruption individualism Mood cautious thoughtful skeptical Type philosophical political When to use this quote - civil disobedience - political activism - community organization Key Concepts state authority ethical governance Questions to Reflect On - What responsibilities do citizens have toward the state? - Can reform replace outright rejection? A Different Perspective Total rejection may ignore beneficial aspects of governance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Citizens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/citizens/) [Conspiracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conspiracy/) [Corrupt Citizens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corrupt-citizens-1474280/) [Exploits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exploits/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Serve Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/serve-government-1474282/) [State Conspiracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/state-conspiracy-1474279/) [States](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/states/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [Truth is](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth-is/) [Truth State](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth-state-1474281/) ## Related quotes > [Government is violence, Christianity is meekness, non-resistance, love. 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Woodson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carter-g-woodson/) > [I've said multiple times that the world's first trillionaire is going to be the person who exploits the resources of asteroids, the natural resources…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/i-ve-said-multiple-times-that-the-world-s-first-trillionaire-is-going/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [Women still, when they have breast cancer, go to work; they still lead their lives. They have to. 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She was standing talking to a lady at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/he-knew-she-was-there-by-the-rapture-and-the-terror-that-seized-on/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [Rest, nature, books, music...such is my idea of happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/rest-nature-books-music-such-is-my-idea-of-happiness/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [“He was not to blame for being born with an irrepressible charachter and a mind some how constrained.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/he-was-not-to-blame-for-being-born-with-an-irrepressible-charachter/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [I ask one thing only: I ask for the right to hope, to suffer as I do. 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