I would rather a thousand times be a free soul in jail than to be a sycophant and coward in the streets. Eugene V. Debs More Quotes by Eugene V. Debs More Quotes From 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. But in all the history of the world you, the people, have never had a voice in declaring war, and strange as it certainly appears, no war by any nation in any age has ever been declared by the people. Eugene V. Debs militarywarpeace Some go to prison for stealing, and others for believing that a better system can be provided and maintained than one that makes it necessary for a man to steal in order to live. Eugene V. Debs menorderbelieve 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. Eugene V. Debs issuescivilizationlong Every one of the aristocratic conspirators and would-be murderers claims to be an arch-patriot; every one of them insists that the war is being waged to make the world safe for democracy. What humbug! What rot! What false pretense! These... tyrants, these red-handed robbers and murderers, the "patriots," while the men who have the courage to stand face to face with them, speak the truth, and fight for their exploited victims - they are [called] the disloyalists and traitors. If this be true, I want to take my place side by side with the traitors in this fight. Eugene V. Debs fightingmenwar Ten thousand times has the labor movement stumbled and bruised itself. We have been enjoined by the courts, assaulted by thugs, charged by the militia, traduced by the press, frowned upon in public opinion, and deceived by politicians. 'But notwithstanding all this and all these, labor is today the most vital and potential power this planet has ever known, and its historic mission is as certain of ultimate realization as is the setting of the sun. Eugene V. Debs thuglabour-movementpolitical Be true to yourself and you cannot be a traitor to any good cause on earth. Eugene V. Debs be-true-to-yourselfcausesearth Those who produce should have, but we know that those who produce the most - that is, those who work hardest, and at the most difficult and most menial tasks, have the least. Eugene V. Debs producetasksshould-have The economic owning class is always the political ruling class. Eugene V. Debs economicpoliticalclass The rights of one are as sacred as the rights of a million. Eugene V. Debs millionssacredrights Riches are the savings of many in the hands of one. Eugene V. Debs richessavinghands Solidarity is not a matter of sentiment but a fact, cold and impassive as the granite foundations of a skyscraper. If the basic elements, identity of interest, clarity of vision, honesty of intent, and oneness of purpose, or any of these is lacking, all sentimental pleas for solidarity, and all other efforts to achieve it will be barren of results. Eugene V. Debs onenessefforthonesty The most heroic word in all languages is REVOLUTION. Eugene V. Debs heroicrevolutionstruggle We want a system in which the worker shall get what he produces and the capitalist shall produce what he gets. Eugene V. Debs economyproducewant I would rather be arrested as a traitor than fight a war for Wall Street. Eugene V. Debs wallfightingwar The truth has always been dangerous to the rule of the rogue, the exploiter, the robber. So the truth must be supressed. Eugene V. Debs robbersdangerousrogues I may not be able to say all I think; but I am not going to say anything I do not think. Eugene V. Debs say-anythingmaythinking You need at this time especially to know that you are fit for something better than slavery and cannon fodder. Eugene V. Debs slaveryfitneeds I am for Socialism because I am for humanity. Eugene V. Debs socialismhumanity When I rise it will be with the ranks, and not from the ranks. Eugene V. Debs labor-unionsolidarity If I were hungry and friendless today, I would rather take my chances with a saloon-keeper than with the average preacher. Eugene V. Debs chanceaveragetoday
