--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: States are more like people than they are…" description: "\"States are more like people than they are like anything else: they exist by purpose, reason, suffering, and joy. And peace between states is also like ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f3a/roger-scruton-971_brotherhood_states-are-more-like-people-than-they-ar_2799059.jpg" --- # States are more like people than they are like anything… ![“States are more like people than they are like anything else: they exist by purpose, reason, suffering, and joy. And peace between states is also like peace between people. It involves the willing renunciation of purpose, in the mutual desire not to do, but to be.” quote by Roger Scruton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f3a/roger-scruton-971_brotherhood_states-are-more-like-people-than-they-ar_2799059.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f3a/roger-scruton-971_brotherhood_states-are-more-like-people-than-they-ar_2799059.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f3a/roger-scruton-971_brotherhood_states-are-more-like-people-than-they-ar_2799059.jpg) > “States are more like people than they are like anything else: they exist by purpose, reason, suffering, and joy. And peace between states is also like peace between people. It involves the willing renunciation of purpose, in the mutual desire not to do, but to be.” [Roger Scruton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-scruton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Comparing states to individuals, emphasizing purpose, suffering, joy, and the need for mutual renunciation of purpose to achieve peace. **In simple terms:** States mirror human relationships and peace. Key Takeaway Aim for mutual understanding over conflict. Themes politics philosophy peace humanity Mood philosophical reflective Type thoughtful inspirational When to use this quote - international relations - conflict resolution - ethical diplomacy - social harmony Key Concepts state purpose collective will Questions to Reflect On - What does “renunciation of purpose” mean to you? - How can nations practice mutual non‑action? A Different Perspective Peace requires sacrifice of self‑interest. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Brotherhood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brotherhood/) [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Diversity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/diversity/) [Joy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joy/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Renunciation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/renunciation/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) [Unity in diversity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unity-in-diversity/) ## Related quotes > [“As there can be no peace among individual men where there is no law, so there can be no peace among states who are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-shellabarger/as-there-can-be-no-peace-among-individual-men-where-there-is-no-law/) [Samuel Shellabarger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-shellabarger/) > [We believe strongly that the road to peace and two states living side by side does not go through New York, it goes through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/we-believe-strongly-that-the-road-to-peace-and-two-states-living-side/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [“Even if the tiniest dot in the universe, still you exist ... for a purpose :)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anvita-bajpai/even-if-the-tiniest-dot-in-the-universe-still-you-exist-for-a-purpose/) [Anvita Bajpai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anvita-bajpai/) > [Science is incapable of supplying answers to ultimate questions about why things exist and what their purpose is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicola-cabibbo/science-is-incapable-of-supplying-answers-to-ultimate-questions-about/) Nicola Cabibbo > [ART Art is that thing having to do only with itself—the product of a successful attempt to make a work of art. 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