Eugene V. Debs quotes - page 4

Eugene V. Debs was an American labor leader and five-time presidential candidate for the Socialist Party. A passionate advocate for workers’ rights, he played a key role in the early U.S. labor movement. He became widely known for his speeches and activism against social and economic injustice. Here are 122 of his quotes:

It is utterly unsocialistic, reactionary and in truth outrageous, and I hope you will oppose with all your power. The plea that certain races are to be excluded because of tactical expediency would be entirely consistent in a bourgeois convention of self-seekers, but should have no place in a proletarian gathering under the auspices of an international movement that is calling on the oppressed and exploited workers of all the world to unite for their emancipation. (Eugene V. Debs)
Lenin and Trotsky were the men of the hour and under their fearless, incorruptible and uncompromising leadership the Russian proletariat has held the fort against the combined assaults of all ruling class powers of earth. It is a magnificent spectacle . It stirs the blood and warms the heart of every revolutionist, and it challenges the admiration of all the world. View quote
Eugene V. Debs
Denial of one's better self seals the lips or pollutes them. Fidelity to conviction opens them and truth blossoms in eloquence. View quote
Eugene V. Debs
We were taught under the old ethic that man's business on this earth was to look out for himself. That was the ethic of the jungle; the ethic of the wild beast. Take care of yourself, no matter what may become of your fellow man. View quote
Eugene V. Debs
The Republican and Democratic parties, or, to be more exact, the Republican-Democratic party, represent the capitalist class in the class struggle. They are the political wings of the capitalist system and such differences as arise between them relate to spoils and not to principles. View quote
Eugene V. Debs
The issue is Socialism versus Capitalism. I am for Socialism because I am for humanity. We have been cursed with the reign of gold long enough. Money constitutes no proper basis of civilization. The time has come to regenerate society - we are on the eve of universal change. View quote
Eugene V. Debs
If it had not been for the discontent of a few fellows who had not been satisfied with their conditions, you would still be living in caves. Intelligent discontent is the mainspring of civilization. Progress is born of agitation. It is agitation or stagnation. View quote
Eugene V. Debs
I never had much faith in leaders. I am willing to be charged with almost anything, rather than to be charged with being a leader. I am suspicious of leaders, and especially of the intellectual variety. Give me the rank and file every day in the week. View quote
Eugene V. Debs
They have always taught and trained you to believe it to be your patriotic duty to go to war and to have yourselves slaughtered at their command. View quote
Eugene V. Debs
The man who seeks to arouse prejudice among workingmen is not their friend. View quote
Eugene V. Debs
Intellectual darkness is essential to industrial slavery. (Eugene V. Debs)
It is infinitely better to vote for freedom and fail than to vote for slavery and succeed. View quote
Eugene V. Debs
I am not a Labor Leader; I do not want you to follow me or anyone else; if you are looking for a Moses to lead you out of this capitalist wilderness, you will stay right where you are. View quote
Eugene V. Debs
People are never quite so strange to each other as when they are forced into artificial, crowded and stifled relationship. View quote
Eugene V. Debs
The feudal barons of the Middle Ages, the economic predecessors of the capitalists of our day, declared all wars. And their miserable serfs fought all the battles. View quote
Eugene V. Debs
And now for all of us to do our duty! View quote
Eugene V. Debs
Competition was natural enough at one time, but do you think you are competing today? View quote
Eugene V. Debs
Yes, I am my brother's keeper. I am under a moral obligation to him that is inspired, not by any maudlin sentimentality, but by the higher duty I owe to myself. View quote
Eugene V. Debs
Ignorance alone stands in the way of socialist success. View quote
Eugene V. Debs
The Republican and Democratic parties are alike capitalist parties - differing only in being committed to different sets of capitalist interests. View quote
Eugene V. Debs
They are the political wings of the capitalist system and such differences as arise between them relate to spoils and not to principles. (Eugene V. Debs)
Foolish and vain indeed is the workingman who makes the color of his skin the stepping-stone to his imaginary superiority. View quote
Eugene V. Debs
They themselves do not cultivate the soil. Nor do they allow others to cultivate it. They keep it idle to enrich themselves, to pocket the millions of dollars of unearned increment. View quote
Eugene V. Debs
How stupid and shortsighted the ruling class really is! Cupidity is stone blind. It has no vision. View quote
Eugene V. Debs
The issue is Socialism versus Capitalism. I am for Socialism because I am for humanity. We have been cursed with the reign of gold long enough. View quote
Eugene V. Debs

Eugene V. Debs

Occupation: American Politician
Born: November 5, 1855
Died: October 20, 1926
Quotes count: 122
Wikipedia: Eugene V. Debs

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