The State is the altar of political freedom and, like the religious altar, it is maintained for the purpose of human sacrifice. Emma Goldman More Quotes by Emma Goldman More Quotes From Emma Goldman Anarchism is the only philosophy which brings to man the consciousness of himself; which maintains that God, the State, and society are non-existent, that their promises are null and void, since they can be fulfilled only through man's subordination. Emma Goldman men philosophy promise The average mind is slow in grasping a truth, but when the most thoroughly organized, centralized institution, maintained at an excessive national expense, has proven a complete social failure, the dullest must begin to question its right to exist. The time is past when we can be content with our social fabric merely because it is "ordained by divine right," or by the majesty of the law. Emma Goldman law average past Few countries have produced such arrogance and snobbishness as America. Particularly is this true of the American woman of the middle class. She not only considers herself the equal of man, but his superior, especially in her purity, goodness, and morality. Small wonder that the American suffragist claims for her vote the most miraculous powers. In her exalted conceit she does not see how truly enslaved she is, not so much by man, as by her own silly notions and traditions. Suffrage can not ameliorate that sad fact; it can only accentuate it, as indeed it does. Emma Goldman silly men country Woman, essentially a purist, is naturally bigoted and relentless in her effort to make others as good as she thinks they ought to be. Emma Goldman racist effort thinking The powers know that the people at large are like children whose despair, sorrow, and tears can be turned into joy with a little toy. ... An army and navy represents the people's toys. Emma Goldman army children people We say that if America has entered the war to make the world safe for democracy, she must first make democracy safe in America. Emma Goldman democracy war america Militarism consumes the strongest and most productive elements of each nation. Militarism swallows the largest part of the national revenue. Emma Goldman militarism revenue elements Nowhere is woman treated according to the merit of her work, but rather as a sex. It is therefore almost inevitable that she should pay for her right to exist, to keep a position in whatever line, with sex favors. Thus it is merely a question of degree whether she sells herself to one man, in or out of marriage, or to many men!... The economic and social inferiority of woman is responsible for prostitution. Emma Goldman merit men sex Thinking men and women the world over are beginning to realize that patriotism is too narrow and limited a conception to meet the necessities of our time. Emma Goldman men world thinking The experience of every-day life fully proves that the armed individual is invariably anxious to try his strength. The same is historically true of governments. Really peaceful countries do not waste life and energy in war preparations, with the result that peace is maintained. Emma Goldman government war country I don't care if a man's theory for tomorrow is correct, I care if his spirit of today is correct. Emma Goldman care today men The American suffrage movement has been, until very recently, altogether a parlor affair, absolutely detached from the economic needs of the people. Emma Goldman movement people needs Have not all theists painted their Deity as the god of love and goodness? Yet after thousands of years of such preachments the gods remain deaf to the agony of the human race. Emma Goldman agony race years Modern woman is no longer satisfied to be the beloved of a man; she looks for understanding, comradeship; she wants to be treated as a human being and not simply as an object for sexual gratification. Emma Goldman understanding men looks The pathos of it all is that the America which is to be protected by a huge military force is not the America of the people, but that of the privileged class. Emma Goldman military class america Patriotism is a menace to liberty. Emma Goldman menace patriotism liberty religion and morality are a much better whip to keep people in submission than even the club and the gun. Emma Goldman clubs gun people To-day is the parent of to-morrow. The present casts its shadow far into the future. Emma Goldman morrow shadow parent I did not believe that a Cause which stood for a beautiful ideal, for anarchism, for release and freedom from convention and prejudice, should demand the denial of life and joy. I insisted that our Cause could not expect me to become a nun and that the movement would not be turned into a cloister. If it meant that, I did not want it. Emma Goldman joy beautiful believe A true conception of the relation of the sexes will not admit of conqueror and conquered; it knows of but one great thing; to give of one's self boundlessly, in order to find one's self richer, deeper, better. Emma Goldman self order sex
