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A state arises,as I conceive,out of the needs of mankind;no one is self-sufficing,but all of us have many wants
Plato
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Plato emphasizes that human societies and states come into being due to our interconnected needs and wants.

In this quote, Plato articulates the idea that individuals are not self-sufficient and that the emergence of a state is a response to humanity's collective needs and desires. He suggests that human beings are inherently social creatures who rely on each other to fulfill their various wants, thus forming communities and governments as a means of cooperation and support.

Themes

CommunityNeedsSocietyInterdependenceHumanity

In practice

Example use cases

During a political discussion about the role of government in society.

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A little wisdom, now and then

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