Johann Most Quotes

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About Johann Most

Johann Most (February 9, 1846 – May 6, 1906) was a German-American anarchist, journalist, and writer who significantly contributed to the development of anarchism in North America during the late 19th century. Born in Kassel, Germany, Most emigrated to the United States in 1865 due to political repression following the failed revolutionary uprising known as the March Revolution. Most was heavily influenced by influential figures such as Mikhail Bakunin and Peter Kropotkin, absorbing their anarchist principles and applying them to his work. He became a key figure in the American anarchist movement, publishing several newspapers and journals throughout his career, including "Freiheit," "Die Revolution," and "The Revolutionary Age." One of Most's most significant contributions was founding the revolutionary organization known as the Lehr- und Wehrverein der Arbeiter (Workers' Educational and Fighting League) in 1879. The group aimed to educate workers about anarchist principles and organize them for collective action, advocating for labor rights, abolition of capitalism, and resistance against the state. Throughout his career, Most authored several influential works, including "The Science of Revolutionary Warfare," which outlined his ideas on revolutionary tactics and strategy, and "Revolution in America," a series of articles that explored the potential for anarchist revolution in the United States. Despite facing numerous arrests and deportations, he continued to write and advocate for his beliefs until his death in 1906. Most's work has had a lasting impact on the American anarchist movement and continues to be studied and debated among anarchists today. His focus on direct action, labor organizing, and revolutionary violence helped shape the trajectory of anarchism in North America and solidified his legacy as an important figure in anarchist history.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Anarchy is order."

Johann Most's quote, "Anarchy is order," suggests that in a society without a centralized government or authority, individuals can self-govern and maintain harmony through cooperation and mutual respect, resulting in a more organized and balanced society than one governed by external laws and rules imposed by an authority. Essentially, true anarchists believe that individual freedom leads to societal order rather than chaos.

"The State is a conspiracy against the people."

This quote by Johann Most suggests that governments, or "the State," are designed primarily to serve their own interests rather than those of the general population. He argues that the State often operates in ways that restrict individual freedoms and exploit the citizens for its own gain, making it a form of conspiracy against the people. This perspective emphasizes the importance of vigilance and critical thinking when it comes to governance and political power.

"Revolution is not a dinner party, nor an afternoon's excursion."

This quote by Johann Most emphasizes that revolution is not a casual or leisurely event, but rather a serious and significant undertaking. It requires intense effort, dedication, and sometimes even risk, as it involves challenging the established order and making profound changes in society. Revolution isn't a social gathering or a pastime; it's a serious call for transformation.

"Non-resistance to evil means cooperation with it."

This quote by Johann Most suggests that passively allowing evil or injustice to persist without opposition can be seen as implicit support or collaboration. In other words, if one does nothing to stop evil, they are unwittingly contributing to its continuation. This interpretation underscores the importance of active resistance against evil and injustice, rather than remaining idle in the face of adversity.

"A free society cannot be built by taking power and giving it to the state, which will at once be used to restrict and dominate the people."

This quote by Johann Most suggests that true freedom can't be achieved through centralized authority or the establishment of a powerful state. Instead, he implies that a society must resist giving power to the state as it will likely be used to control and subdue its citizens. The essence of his argument is that individual liberty thrives best in decentralized societies where people are free from excessive government intervention.

The existing system will be quickest and most radically overthrown by the annihilation of its exponents. Therefore, massacres of the enemies of the people must be set in motion.

- Johann Most

Motion, Will, Set, Annihilation

As set forth by theologians, the idea of 'God' is an argument that assumes its own conclusions, and proves nothing.

- Johann Most

Argument, Set, Assumes, Conclusions

It is the lash of hunger which compels the poor man to submit. In order to live he must sell - 'voluntarily' sell - himself every day and hour to the 'beast of property.'

- Johann Most

Every Day, Submit, Which, Compels

The god of the Christians, as we have seen, is the god who makes promises only to break them; who sends them pestilence and disease in order to heal them; a god who demoralizes mankind in order to improve it.

- Johann Most

Mankind, Disease, Christians, Heal

Fortunately, no country was ever more suited for anarchist agitation than present-day America.

- Johann Most

Country, Ever, Suited, Agitation

If on the one side we do not harbor the illusion that the entire proletariat must be enlightened before it can be called into battle, so on the other we do not doubt that as much enlightenment as possible must be produced with oral and printed agitation.

- Johann Most

Other, Before, Side, Agitation

'God' - as revealed in his book of edicts and narratives is practically an idiot. He has nothing to say that any sensible person should want to listen to.

- Johann Most

Book, Idiot, Narratives, Sensible Person

The anarchists, on behalf of the proletariat, therefore consider it necessary to show the proletariat that it will have to win a gigantic battle before it realizes its goals.

- Johann Most

Will, Necessary, Before, Proletariat

The aims of anarchists and true communists are identical.

- Johann Most

True, Identical, Aims, Communists

Anarchists are socialists because they want the improvement of society, and they are communists because they are convinced that such a transformation of society can only result from the establishment of a commonwealth of property.

- Johann Most

Want, Socialists, Communists

While we have entertained the contention that a deed may make more propaganda than hundreds of speeches, thousands of articles, and tens of thousands of pamphlets, we have held that an arbitrary act of violence will not necessarily have such an effect.

- Johann Most

May, Propaganda, Tens, Entertained

If we hope and even assume that the social question will be answered through communism, and not in this or that country but in the world, any thought of centralization must be a monstrosity.

- Johann Most

Question, Country, Through, Assume

He who negates present society, and seeks social conditions based on the sharing of property, is a revolutionary whether he calls himself an anarchist or a communist.

- Johann Most

Communist, Social, Based, Seeks

Anarchists prepare for social revolution and use every means- speech, writing, or deed, whichever is more to the point - to accelerate revolutionary development.

- Johann Most

Development, Prepare, Means, Deed

Whoever looks at America will see: the ship is powered by stupidity, corruption, or prejudice.

- Johann Most

Stupidity, Looks, See, Corruption

They make revolutionary propaganda because they know the privileged class can never be overturned peacefully.

- Johann Most

Never, Privileged, Peacefully

Is anarchism desirable? Well, who does not seek freedom? What man, unless willing to declare himself in bondage, would care to call any control agreeable? Think about it!

- Johann Most

Think, Declare, Agreeable, Bondage

Is anarchism possible? The failure of attempts to attain freedom does not mean the cause is lost.

- Johann Most

Failure, Freedom, Does, Anarchism

Above all, what socialist, without flushing with shame, maintains he is not a revolutionary? We say: none!.

- Johann Most

Shame, Socialist, Above, Revolutionary

We need do no more than repeat: only under communism does the individual become himself and lead his own life.

- Johann Most

More, Need, Individual, Repeat

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