Quote by Henry David Thoreau
I saw that the State was half-witted, that it was timid as a lone woman with her silver spoons, and that it did not know its friends from its foes, and I lost all my remaining respect for it, and pitied it.
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Summary
In this quote, the speaker expresses their disillusionment with the State. They observe that the State lacks intelligence and courage, comparing it to a vulnerable woman concerned about protecting her valuable possessions. The speaker concludes that the State is incapable of distinguishing its true allies from its enemies. As a result of this realization, the speaker no longer has any respect for the State and instead feels a sense of pity towards it.