Alexander Berkman
Alexander Berkman
Alexander Berkmanwas a leading member of the anarchist movement in the early 20th century, famous for both his political activism and his writing...
NationalityRussian
ProfessionWriter
Date of Birth21 November 1870
CountryRussian Federation
Alexander Berkman quotes about
lying struggle men
Man's inhumanity to man is not the last word. The truth lies deeper. It is economic slavery, the savage struggle for a crumb, that has converted mankind into wolves and sheep.
gun needs helping
When the highwayman holds his gun to your head, you turn your valuables over to him. You 'consent' alright, but you do so because you cannot help yourself, because you are compelled by his gun. Are you not compelled to work for an employer? Your need compels you, just as the highwayman's gun.
government anarchy nothing-to-lose
Certainly the worker has nothing to lose by a change from government and capitalism to a condition of no government, of anarchy.
hands house degradation
It is the system, rather than individuals, that is the source of pollution and degradation. My prison-house environment is but another manifestation of the Midas-hand, whose cursed touch turns everything to the brutal service of Mammon.
money kindness heart
...existence has become an unreasoning, wild dance around the golden calf, a mad worship of God Mammon. In that dance and in that worship man has sacrificed all his finer qualities of the heart and soul — kindness and justice, honor and manhood, compassion and sympathy with his fellowman.
gains socialism christianity
Socialism, like Christianity destroyed itself to gain power
gun order class
Are you not compelled to work for an employer? Your need compels you just as the highwayman’s gun. You must live … You can’t work for yourself … The factories, machinery, and tools belong to the employing class, so you must hire yourself out to that class in order to work and live. Whatever you work at, whoever your employer may be, it always comes to the same: you must workfor him. You can’t help yourself. You are compelled.
stupidity inhumanity
Inhumanity is the keynote of stupidity in power.
evil liberty libertarian
The cure for evil and disorder is more liberty, not suppression.