Albert Jay Nock Quote 

"Many now believe that with the rise of the totalitarian State the world has entered upon a new era of barbarism. It has not. The totalitarian State is only the State; the kind of thing it does is only what the State has always done with unfailing regularity, if it had the power to do it, wherever and whenever its own aggrandizement made that kind of thing expedient. Give any State like power hereafter, and put it in like circumstances, and it will do precisely the same kind of thing. The State will unfailingly aggrandize itself, if only it has the power, first at the expense of its own citizens, and then at the expense of anyone else in sight. It has always done so, and always will."

by:
Albert Jay Nock
(1870-1945)
Source:
The Criminality of the State, America Mercury Magazine, March, 1939
Categories:
 
Bookmark and Share

Reader comments about this quote:
I guess he never read that George Washington stepped down willingly, while others wished to keep him in office.
 -- David L. Rosenthal , Hollywood		 
Describes super-power politics exactly.
 -- Chicago		 
 -- Anonymous 
 -- Anonymous, oklahoma city 
What the hey-all does George Washington's personal choice have to do with the impulses of 'the State'? Is someone over-medicated here? - LOL
 -- Terry Berg, Occidental, CA		 
Five stars for the accuracy, thumbs down for the effect on individuals. Each rising totalitarian state, such as the foreign despots with inherent right infesting the U.S. demonstrate a new era of despotism, tyranny and suffering of individuals.
 -- Mike, Norwalk		 
The manner in which the state inevitably pursues ultimate power and control could easily be described as psychopathic. This why it has become foolish vote left or vote right...or even vote at all. The politicians themselves are no longer servants of the people and the system itself is corrupt almost beyond redemption. The Second Amendment is in place for a reason.
 -- J Carlton, Calgary		 
Simply look at what is going on in Washington today to prove this quote correct. The dodos in the White House couldn't even keep up with Air Force One but are in the process of taking over the American auto industry. Obama and his fellow travelers aren't into creating jobs, they are into power and control. It's simply business as usual when it comes to the state.
 -- jim k, austin		 
Wow. Albert Jay Nock nailed it. Precisely why republican governments strictly limit the power of their officers, because the tendency to abuse power is too great to leave up to 'trust.'
 -- E Archer, NYC		 
Bookmark and Share
Rate this quote!
How many stars?
0
1
2
3
4
5
 
What do YOU think?
Your name:
Your town:
    CLICK JUST ONCE!

  
Get a Quote-A-Day! Free!
Liberty Quotes sent to your mail box.
Email:
 
This site is supported
by donors like you!

More Quotations

Read the Bills Act Coalition
Quotes & Quotations - Send This Quote to a Friend

© 1998-2008 Liberty-Tree.ca