Quotes by Eugene V. Debs

“I would not be a Moses to lead you into the Promised Land, because if I could lead you into it, someone else could lead you out of it.””

“A privately owned world can never be a free world and a society based upon warring classes cannot stand.””

“I would rather a thousand times be a free soul in jail than to be a sycophant and coward in the streets.””

“I may not be able to say all I think, but I am not going to say anything I do not think.””

“The greedy, profit-seeking exploiter cannot see beyond the end of his nose. He can see a chance for an “opening”; he is cunning enough to know what graft is and where it is, and how it can be secured, but vision he has none-not the slightest. He knows nothing of the great throbbing world that spreads out in all directions. He has no capacity for literature; no appreciation of art; no soul for beauty. That is the penalty the parasites pay for the violation of the laws of life.””

“If I were hungry and friendless today, I would rather take my chances with a saloon-keeper than with the average preacher.””

“To stir the masses, to appeal to their higher, better selves, to set them thinking for themselves, and to hold ever before them the ideal of mutual kindness and good will, based upon mutual interests, is to render real service to the cause of humanity.””

“patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel.””

“. . . the press and the pulpit have in every age and every nation been on the side of the exploiting class and the ruling class.””

“They tell us that we live in a great free republic; that our institutions are democratic; that we are a free and self-governing people. This is too much, even for a joke. But it is not a subject for levity; it is an exceedingly serious matter.””

“Intelligent discontent is the mainspring of civilization. Progress is born of agitation. It is agitation or stagnation.””

“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. I would not lead you into the promised land if I could, because if I led you in, some one else would lead you out. You must use your heads as well as your hands, and get yourself out of your present condition; as it is now the capitalists use your heads and your hands.””

“Privately owned industry and production for individual profit are no longer compatible with social progress and have ceased to work out to humane and civilized ends.””

“Beware of capitalism's politicians and preachers! They are the lineal descendants of the hypocrites of old who all down the ages have guarded the flock in the name of patriotism and religion and secured the choicest provender and the snuggest booths for themselves by turning the sheep over to the ravages of the wolves.””