"The life of states cannot, any more than the life of individuals, be conditioned by the force and the will of a unit, however powerful, but by the consensus of a group, which must one day include all states"

This quote by Lester B. Pearson speaks to the concept that the life of a state, or a country, is not figured out by the will of a single powerful entity, but rather by the collective arrangement of a group of states. This group needs to ultimately include all states, as the consensus of the group is what will ultimately shape the life of the state. This quote speaks with the significance of collaboration and cooperation between states, as it is just through cumulative contract that the life of a state can be figured out. It likewise speaks with the idea that no single state should have the power to determine the life of another state, as this would be unreasonable and unjustified. This quote stresses the importance of collective contract and partnership between states in order to make sure the life of a state is figured out relatively and justly.