---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Just as you cannot see, at pleasure, with…"
description: "\"“Just as you cannot see, at pleasure, with your ears and you cannot, at will, hear with your eyes so too you cannot make the state act in the interests..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec2/rudolf-rocker-14426_class-struggle_just-as-you-cannot-see-at-pleasure-with_2227404.png"
---

#  Just as you cannot see, at pleasure, with your ears and…

![“Just as you cannot see, at pleasure, with your ears and you cannot, at will, hear with your eyes so too you cannot make the state act in the interests of the working people. As an organ in the social body, its purpose is for the repression of self-determination.” quote by Rudolf Rocker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec2/rudolf-rocker-14426_class-struggle_just-as-you-cannot-see-at-pleasure-with_2227404.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec2/rudolf-rocker-14426_class-struggle_just-as-you-cannot-see-at-pleasure-with_2227404.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec2/rudolf-rocker-14426_class-struggle_just-as-you-cannot-see-at-pleasure-with_2227404.png)

> ““Just as you cannot see, at pleasure, with your ears and you cannot, at will, hear with your eyes so too you cannot make the state act in the interests of the working people. As an organ in the social body, its purpose is for the repression of self-determination.””

[Rudolf Rocker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudolf-rocker/)

## 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 cannot be voluntarily controlled by workers; it inherently suppresses self‑determination.

**In simple terms:** The state represses people’s freedom to decide for themselves.

Key Takeaway

Seek autonomy outside state structures.

Themes

anarchy state power self‑determination

Mood

critical skeptical

Type

political philosophical

When to use this quote

- labor organizing
- community self‑governance
- political activism

Key Concepts

political philosophy authority freedom

Questions to Reflect On

- How can communities balance autonomy with collective needs?
- What alternatives to the state can ensure security?

A Different Perspective

State structures can provide essential services and stability.

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[Class struggle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/class-struggle/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Repression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/repression/) [Revolutionary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revolutionary/) [Working people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/working-people/)

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