The problem of invulnerability takes a second form. Again, consider the relative success of the modern state in suppressing aggression. This does not mean, of course, that no wrongs are committed. But the number of wrongs is sharply limited. More importantly for our purposes, however, the ability of an individual to retaliate in the face of such wrongs is sharply
limited. If you kill my son or daughter, it will be very difficult for me to pursue a vendetta against you without attracting the full attention—and overwhelming coercive capacity—of the modern state. The person who desires to remain law abiding either from prudence or from respect for the law is largely deprived of the means for personal retaliation against wrongdoers.