"Plus l'État est grand, plus il commet d'erreurs et d'injustices."

The main idea here is that as governments grow larger and more powerful, they tend to become more oppressive and commit more injustices. It's like saying that with more power comes more potential for abuse—whether intentional or not.

Historically, this notion has been noted by many political philosophers and thinkers. Think about the Roman Empire. When it was small, it was easier to manage and perhaps more just. But as it expanded, the emperors became more tyrannical. They started oppressing smaller tribes, levying heavy taxes, and the corruption spread like wildfire. This isn't just ancient history, though. Look at modern examples like the Soviet Union or even certain aspects of the U.S. government. The bigger the bureaucracy, the more chances there are for things to go wrong.

Imagine a small town where everyone knows each other. The mayor knows most of the residents by name, and because of that personal connection, he’s more likely to be fair and just. Now, think about a huge metropolis. The mayor doesn’t know everyone—it's impossible. The system becomes more complex, and the chances for corruption and injustice multiply. That’s exactly what this quote is getting at.

So, what do you do with this information? First, stay engaged in your community. Get to know your local representatives. The second piece of advice is to advocate for transparency and checks and balances in any organization, especially governments. When you spot something fishy, speak up. Don't just shrug your shoulders and say, "That's how it is."

Let’s put this into a relatable scenario. Imagine you work for a small company. The boss is your neighbor, and you see him every weekend at the local farmers' market. Because of this close-knit relationship, he's more likely to treat you fairly. Now, imagine your company gets bought out by a huge corporation. Suddenly, there's a faceless HR department, layers of management, and you feel like just a number. If something goes wrong, it’s harder to get it fixed. You’re more likely to be treated unjustly because the people making the decisions don’t know or care about you personally.

When you see this happening, don’t just accept it. Advocate for better communication channels in big organizations. Try to maintain that small community feel as much as possible. Maybe it’s about setting up regular check-ins or town hall meetings. Ensure there's a process for grievances that actually gets followed.

In your own life, always remember the power of community and personal connection. Whether it’s voting in local elections, getting involved in community groups, or even just chatting with your neighbors—these small actions counteract the potential injustices that can arise as systems grow larger.

Think about it this way: the bigger something gets, the more eyes we need on it to keep it honest. Be one of those eyes. Get involved. Make sure the systems that run your life are working for you, not just rolling over you.