Subtle State

Famous quotes containing the words subtle and/or state:

“What could be wanting ... but to have wrote a book.... Little boots it to the subtle speculatist to stand single in his opinions,—unless he gives them proper vent.”
—Laurence Sterne (1713–1768)

“A state that denies its citizens their basic rights becomes a danger to its neighbors as well: internal arbitrary rule will be reflected in arbitrary external relations. The suppression of public opinion, the abolition of public competition for power and its public exercise opens the way for the state power to arm itself in any way it sees fit.... A state that does not hesitate to lie to its own people will not hesitate to lie to other states.”
—Václav Havel (b. 1936)