We can come to look upon the deaths of our enemies with as much regret as we feel for those of our friends, namely, when we miss their existence as witnesses to our success.
Arthur SchopenhauerRead
At bottom, every state regards another as a gang of robbers who will fall upon it as soon as there is an opportunity.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects the intrinsic distrust and conflict between states, suggesting that cooperation is often overshadowed by a fear of betrayal.
Arthur Schopenhauer's quote highlights a cynical view of international relations, where each state perceives others as potential threats, akin to robbers ready to seize an opportunity for gain. This perspective underscores the notion that even among nations, the absence of trust can lead to a vicious cycle of suspicion and aggression, indicating a deeper philosophical inquiry into human nature and societal organization.
Themes
StatesTrustConflictSuspicionPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about international relations at a political conference.
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Our religions will never at any time take root; the ancient wisdom of the human race will not be supplanted by the events in Galilee. On the contrary, Indian wisdom flows back to Europe, and will produce a fundamental change in our knowledge and thought.
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We will gradually become indifferent to what goes on in the minds of other people when we acquire a knowledge of the superficial nature of their thoughts, the narrowness of their views and of the number of their errors. Whoever attaches a lot of value to the opinions of others pays them too much honor.
Arthur SchopenhauerRead
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