“We Social-Democrats always stand for democracy, not “in the name of capitalism,” but in the name of clearing the path for our movement, which clearing is impossible without the development of capitalism.”

It is, of course, much easier to shout, abuse, and howl than to attempt to relate, to explain.

The best way to control the opposition is to lead it ourselves.

There are no morals in politics; there is only expedience. A scoundrel may be of use to us just because he is a scoundrel.

One of the chief symptoms of every revolution is the sharp and sudden increase in the number of ordinary people who take an active, independent and forceful interest in politics.

Democracy is indispensable to socialism.

America has become one of the foremost countries in regard to the depth of the abyss which lies between the handful of arrogant multimillionaires who wallow in filth and luxury, and the millions of working people who constantly live on the verge of pauperism.

Free speech is a bourgeois prejudice.

Communists have become bureaucrats. If anything will destroy us, it is this.

Capitalists will sell us the rope we will hang them with.

No amount of political freedom will satisfy the hungry masses.

One fool can ask more questions in a minute than 12 wise men can answer in an hour.

Give me just one generation of youth, and I’ll transform the whole world.

Any cook should be able to run the country.

He who does not work shall not eat.

Without revolutionary theory there can be no revolutionary movement.

The aim of socialism is not only to abolish the present division of mankind into smaller states and all-national isolation, not only to bring the nations closer to each other, but also to merge them.

Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.

Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer. Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past. Let us accept our own responsibility for the future.

Justice delayed is democracy denied.

The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all.

Democracy may not be perfect, but at least I don’t have to build a wall to keep my people in.

It should be the power of our vote, not the size of our bank accounts, that drives our democracy.

Elections belong to the people. It’s their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.

Freedom must be distinguished from democracy, with which it is often confused.