--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Romantic literature often presents the…" description: "\"“Romantic literature often presents the individual as somebody caught in a struggle against the state and the market. Nothing could be further from the..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a5/yuval-noah-harari-100_books_romantic-literature-often-presents-the-i_1589615.jpg" --- # Romantic literature often presents the individual as… ![“Romantic literature often presents the individual as somebody caught in a struggle against the state and the market. Nothing could be further from the truth. The state and the market are the mother and father of the individual, and the individual can survive only thanks to them. The market…” quote by Yuval Noah Harari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a5/yuval-noah-harari-100_books_romantic-literature-often-presents-the-i_1589615.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a5/yuval-noah-harari-100_books_romantic-literature-often-presents-the-i_1589615.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a5/yuval-noah-harari-100_books_romantic-literature-often-presents-the-i_1589615.jpg) > ““Romantic literature often presents the individual as somebody caught in a struggle against the state and the market. Nothing could be further from the truth. The state and the market are the mother and father of the individual, and the individual can survive only thanks to them. The market provides us with work, insurance and a pension. If we want to study a profession, the government’s schools are there to teach us. If we want to open a business, the bank loans us money. If we want to build a house, a construction company builds it and the bank gives us a mortgage, in some cases subsidised or insured by the state. If violence flares up, the police protect us. If we are sick for a few days, our health insurance takes care of us. If we are debilitated for months, national social services steps in. If we need around-the-clock assistance, we can go to the market and hire a nurse – usually some stranger from the other side of the world who takes care of us with the kind of devotion that we no longer expect from our own children. If we have the means, we can spend our golden years at a senior citizens’ home. The tax authorities treat us as individuals, and do not expect us to pay the neighbours’ taxes. The courts, too, see us as individuals, and never punish us for the crimes of our cousins. Not”” [Yuval Noah Harari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yuval-noah-harari/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The individual depends on state and market institutions for survival, contrary to romantic notions of solitary struggle. **In simple terms:** People rely on government and market support. Key Takeaway Recognize interdependence. Themes society economics politics Mood analytical critical Type philosophical commentary When to use this quote - employment - education - healthcare - housing - security Key Concepts social contract dependence public services Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance personal responsibility with societal support? - What role should the state play in individual lives? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on interdependence can diminish personal agency. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Construction company](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/construction-company/) [Golden years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/golden-years/) [Investing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/investing/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Mother and father](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mother-and-father/) [Senior citizens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/senior-citizens/) ## Related quotes > [“Romantic literature often presents the individual as somebody caught in a struggle against the state and the market. 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If we want to study a profession, the government’s schools are there to teach us. If we want to open a business, the bank loans us money. If we want to build a house, a construction company builds it and the bank gives us a mortgage, in some cases subsidised or insured by the state. If violence flares up, the police protect us. If we are sick for a few days, our health insurance takes care of us. If we are debilitated for months, national social services steps in. If we need around-the-clock assistance, we can go to the market and hire a nurse – usually some stranger from the other side of the world who takes care of us with the kind of devotion that we no longer expect from our own children. If we have the means, we can spend our golden years at a senior citizens’ home. The tax authorities treat us as individuals, and do not expect us to pay the neighbours’ taxes. The courts, too, see us as individuals, and never punish us for the crimes of our cousins. 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