The structure of the international system forces states to behave in certain ways, regardless of their internal characteristics.
The statesman, who should attempt to direct private people in what manner they ought to employ their capitals, would not only load himself with a most unnecessary attention but assume an authority which could safely be trusted, not only to no single person, but to no council or senate whatever, and which would nowhere be so dangerous as in the hands of a man who had folly and presumption enough to fancy himself fit to exercise it.
Look, if you had one shot, or one opportunity to seize everything you ever wanted in one moment, would you capture it or just let it slip?
The universe is not only stranger than we imagine, it is stranger than we can imagine.