Afraid Quote by Montesquieu
““Rhedi: I am always afraid that they will eventually succeed in discovering some secret which will provide a quicker way of making men die, and exterminate whole countries and nations. Usbek: No, if such a fateful invention came to be discovered, it would soon be banned by international law; by the unanimous consent of every country the discovery would be buried.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Les Lettres Persanes by Montesquieu, 1721
Fear of a deadly technology being misused and the hope that international law will suppress it.
In simple terms: Worried about lethal inventions, but trust law to stop them.
Key Takeaway
Promote global cooperation on dangerous tech.
Themes
ethics
technology
war
law
humanity
Mood
anxious
hopeful
Type
cautionary
political
When to use this quote
- policy making
- scientific research
- military planning
- public debate
Key Concepts
risk assessment
international governance
deterrence
Questions to Reflect On
- What mechanisms ensure compliance?
- How can we balance innovation and safety?
A Different Perspective
Assuming all nations will agree and enforce bans is optimistic.
![“[92] Plato, in his fourth book of Laws, says that the præfectures of music and gymnic exercises are the most important employments in the city; and, in his Republic, iii, Damon will tell you, says he, what sounds are capable of corrupting the mind with base sentiments, or of inspiring the contrary…” quote by Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/316/montesquieu-19593_books_92-plato-in-his-fourth-book-of-laws-says_1724267.jpg)
