--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think a state should not be in the…" description: "\"I think a state should not be in the capacity of killing anyone with the exception of warfare.\" — Werner Herzog" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/99f/werner-herzog-964_capacity_i-think-a-state-should-not-be-in-the-cap_1669494.jpg" --- # I think a state should not be in the capacity of killing… ![“I think a state should not be in the capacity of killing anyone with the exception of warfare.” quote by Werner Herzog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/99f/werner-herzog-964_capacity_i-think-a-state-should-not-be-in-the-cap_1669494.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/99f/werner-herzog-964_capacity_i-think-a-state-should-not-be-in-the-cap_1669494.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/99f/werner-herzog-964_capacity_i-think-a-state-should-not-be-in-the-cap_1669494.jpg) > “I think a state should not be in the capacity of killing anyone with the exception of warfare.” [Werner Herzog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/werner-herzog/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A state’s legitimate use of lethal force should be limited to war, not internal policing. **In simple terms:** State violence only justified in war. Key Takeaway Limit state killing to wartime. Themes ethics politics state power Mood thoughtful serious Type ethical political When to use this quote - law enforcement - military action - civil unrest - policy debate Key Concepts just war theory human rights Questions to Reflect On - When should a state be allowed to use lethal force? - How do societies balance security and liberty? A Different Perspective Enforcing such limits can be politically contentious. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Capacity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capacity/) [Exception](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exception/) [Killing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/killing/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [State](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/state/) [State Capacity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/state-capacity-843134/) [States](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/states/) [Think State](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-state-559687/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [Warfare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/warfare/) ## Related quotes > [I think the state should be as small as possible and only there to pick up where people need help, such as the welfare…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heidi-allen/i-think-the-state-should-be-as-small-as-possible-and-only-there-to/) [Heidi Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heidi-allen/) > [Certainly I think the state is more than willing to not only attempt to change the consciousness of people, but to employ violence in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-giroux/certainly-i-think-the-state-is-more-than-willing-to-not-only-attempt/) [Henry Giroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-giroux/) > [Love is not something you think about, it is a state in which you dwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-moore/love-is-not-something-you-think-about-it-is-a-state-in-which-you-dwell/) [Christopher Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-moore/) > [When you think of power, you think the state has power. 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