"A language is a more ancient and inevitable thing than any state"

In this quote, Joseph Brodsky is highlighting the significance and durability of language. He recommends that language is an essential element of human existence, existing long before any orderly state or government. It is a natural and essential part of human communication and expression, and for that reason, it is unavoidable. Brodsky's words likewise imply that language is an effective force that transcends political borders and social structures. It is a universal tool that links people across time and space, making it a more ancient and enduring idea than any state or country. Ultimately, Brodsky's quote highlights the enduring and essential nature of language in human society.