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Agnes Smedley Quotes

Powerful Agnes Smedley for Daily Growth

About Agnes Smedley

Agnes Smedley (1892-1950), an American journalist, novelist, and political activist, was a significant figure in the early twentieth century, particularly for her work on behalf of the Chinese and Indian independence movements. Born on March 28, 1892, in Salem, Indiana, Smedley grew up in a Quaker family, which instilled in her a strong sense of social justice and pacifism. Smedley's life took a dramatic turn when she joined the YMCA India-China Association in 1917, traveling to India where she became deeply involved in the Indian independence movement. Her experiences in India shaped her political ideology, leading her to align herself with Marxist and Communist causes. In 1920, Smedley moved to Shanghai, China, becoming a key figure in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). She reported on the Chinese Revolution for various international publications, wrote extensively about the CCP, and even met Mao Zedong. Her most notable work during this period is "Daughter of Earth" (1929), a semi-autobiographical novel that portrays the struggles of Indian women under British rule. Returning to the United States in 1934, Smedley continued her activism, becoming a prominent member of the American Communist Party. She was a vocal critic of U.S. foreign policy and worked tirelessly for the rights of racial minorities, women, and the working class. Her final significant work, "Battle Hymn of China" (1943), is a firsthand account of the Chinese Revolution and became a bestseller in the United States during World War II. Despite her contributions to journalism and activism, Smedley faced significant criticism for her political beliefs and associations with Communist parties. She died on July 8, 1950, in New York City, leaving behind a legacy as a passionate advocate for social justice and an influential figure in the global fight for independence and equality.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The earth has its music for those who will listen."

This quote, penned by Agnes Smedley, suggests that there is a natural rhythm and harmony inherent in our planet, waiting to be perceived by those who are receptive. It encourages us to open ourselves to the subtleties of nature - its sights, sounds, smells, and feelings - to appreciate its beauty, and ultimately, to foster a deeper connection with our environment and universe as a whole.

"Revolution is not a picnic, nor is it a song. It is an insurrection, an act of violence by which one class overthrows another."

Agnes Smedley's quote emphasizes the inherent struggle and intensity involved in revolution. She highlights that revolutions are not leisurely events or mere expressions of dissatisfaction; rather, they constitute a violent upheaval, symbolizing the oppressed overthrowing their oppressors to establish a new order. This quote underscores the idea that change, especially significant societal change, requires conflict and effort.

"I'd rather be a free woman in any land than a servant in any."

This quote emphasizes the importance of freedom over servitude, no matter the location or circumstances. Agnes Smedley suggests that true fulfillment comes from being self-governing, rather than being controlled or dominated by others. It underscores the strength and determination of individuals who prioritize their autonomy and personal growth above any external constraints.

"The only real revolution is the revolution of the human heart."

This quote by Agnes Smedley suggests that genuine, transformative change occurs not through external, political revolutions, but through a profound transformation of individuals' hearts - their empathy, compassion, and understanding. She posits that it is only when people genuinely care for each other and strive towards common goals with kindness and respect that lasting positive change can be achieved in society. Thus, the revolution she references is not merely a shift in political power or systems, but rather an evolution of human consciousness and behavior towards love, justice, and unity.

"When you have seen and understood the world, there remains little to learn about it."

This quote by Agnes Smedley suggests that extensive observation and understanding of the world provide a comprehensive grasp of its nature. In essence, she's saying that once one has seen and comprehended the world, there isn't much new knowledge left to acquire about it, as the fundamental truths have already been exposed. It implies that wisdom comes from experiencing and understanding the world in all its complexity, rather than just accumulating facts or information.

I feel like a person living on the brink of a volcano crater.

- Agnes Smedley

Living, Person, Like, Brink

Thousands of women are crushed and made inarticulate by that system and never develop as their natures would force them to develop were they in a decent environment.

- Agnes Smedley

Made, Them, Natures, Women Are

Germany is in terrible condition this year. This is particularly true of the working masses, who are so undernourished that tuberculosis is having a rich harvest, particularly of adolescent children.

- Agnes Smedley

Harvest, Year, Particularly, Adolescent

No one yet knows what a man's province is, and how far that province, as conceived of today, is artificial.

- Agnes Smedley

How, How Far, Artificial, Province

My mother listened to all the news from the camp during the strike. She said little, especially when my father or the men who worked for him were about I remember her instinctive and unhesitating sympathy for the miners.

- Agnes Smedley

Father, I Remember, About, Camp

There are many men - such as those often to be found among the Indians - who are refined until they have qualities often attributed to the female sex. Yet they are men, and strong ones.

- Agnes Smedley

Strong, Sex, Attributed, Refined

And the woman who could win the respect of man was often the woman who could knock him down with her bare fists and sit on him until he yelled for help.

- Agnes Smedley

Woman, Knock, Fists, Yelled

Everybody calls everybody a spy, secretly, in Russia, and everybody is under surveillance. You never feel safe.

- Agnes Smedley

Never, Russia, Everybody, Surveillance

In one hotel, the maid who built the fire fainted in our room. Exhaustion was the cause. We talked with her later and learned that she worked 17 hours a day and makes 95 marks a month - about 50 cents.

- Agnes Smedley

About, Cause, Our, Maid

But I see no reason why a woman should not grow and develop in all those outlets which are suited to her nature, it matters not at all what they may be.

- Agnes Smedley

Woman, Reason, Which, Suited

Now, being a girl, I was ashamed of my body and my lack of strength. So I tried to be a man. I shot, rode, jumped, and took part in all the fights of the boys.

- Agnes Smedley

Strength, Ashamed, Took, Being A Girl

Like all my family and class, I considered it a sign of weakness to show affection; to have been caught kissing my mother would have been a disgrace, and to have shown affection for my father would have been a disaster.

- Agnes Smedley

Family, Caught, Been, Disaster

So I had to be the doctor to these wounded men until we could remove them to the hospital. There were fifty-four women and forty little boys with the Red Army prisoners, and I went daily to take care of them also.

- Agnes Smedley

Red, Had, Prisoners, Remove

I joined another circle and the leader gave us a little leaflet in very small print, asking us to read it carefully and then come prepared to ask questions. It was a technical Marxist subject and I did not understand it nor did I know what questions to ask.

- Agnes Smedley

Leader, Small, Very, Marxist

In the little hall leading to it was a rack holding various Socialist or radical newspapers, tracts, and pamphlets in very small print and on very bad paper. The subjects treated were technical Marxist theories.

- Agnes Smedley

Small, Treated, Very, Marxist

More and more do I see that only a successful revolution in India can break England's back forever and free Europe itself. It is not a national question concerning India any longer; it is purely international.

- Agnes Smedley

Question, England, Purely, Concerning

For the first week of the Sian events I was a first aid worker in the streets of Sian.

- Agnes Smedley

Week, Streets, Worker, Events

What a couple. I'm consumed into ashes. And he's always raking up the ashes and setting them on fire again.

- Agnes Smedley

Always, Consumed, Couple, Ashes

Yet it is awful to love a person who is a torture to you. And a fascinating person who loves you and won't hear of anything but your loving him and living right by his side through all eternity!

- Agnes Smedley

Love, Through, Eternity, Torture

For months it seemed that a revolution was certain. But instead, slavery seems more likely now. The working class no longer has the physical resistance for a revolution, and the Entente is too strong, and Russia is too weak.

- Agnes Smedley

Strong, Likely, Months, Slavery

I have no objection to a man being a man, however masculine that may be.

- Agnes Smedley

Being A Man, May, However, Masculine

Much that we read of Russia is imagination and desire only.

- Agnes Smedley

Desire, Only, Read, Russia

But he like my mother, had certainly come to know that those who work the most do not make the most money. It was the fault of the rich, it seemed, but just how he did not know.

- Agnes Smedley

Like, Certainly, Seemed, Fault

When I was a girl, the West was still young, and the law of force, of physical force, was dominant.

- Agnes Smedley

Law, Young, Still, Dominant

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