"The great nations have always acted like gangsters, and the small nations like prostitutes"

In this quote, Stanley Kubrick is making a strong declaration about the habits of nations. He suggests that the effective and prominent nations of the world often act like gangsters, using their strength and impact to get what they desire. This might describe actions such as invading other nations, enforcing financial sanctions, or controling global politics for their own benefit. On the other hand, Kubrick likewise indicates that smaller sized and less effective countries are required to imitate prostitutes, continuously offering themselves and their resources to the greatest bidder in order to survive. This quote highlights the severe realities of international relations and the power characteristics at play between nations.