Looting Quote by Yuval Noah Harari
““Secondly, while the price of war soared, its profits declined. For most of history, polities could enrich themselves by looting or annexing enemy territories. Most wealth consisted of material things like fields, cattle, slaves and gold, so it was easy to loot it or occupy it. Today, wealth consists mainly of human capital and organizational know-how. Consequently it is difficult to carry it off or conquer it by military force.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, 2014
War used to be profitable because wealth was material and easy to seize; now wealth is knowledge and skills, making military conquest less rewarding.
In simple terms: Modern wealth is intangible, so war yields less profit.
Key Takeaway
Rethink security strategies beyond military force.
Themes
economics
war
technology
society
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
Type
historical
strategic
When to use this quote
- business competition
- national defense
- cybersecurity
- political negotiations
Key Concepts
human capital
organizational knowledge
military strategy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies protect intangible assets?
- What alternatives to war exist for gaining advantage?
A Different Perspective
Military force cannot easily capture knowledge or expertise.
