What a mess,” [Rubashov] said, “what a mess we have made…
![“What a mess,” [Rubashov] said, “what a mess we have made of our golden age.” Ivanov smiled. “Maybe,” he said happily. “Look at the Gracchi and Saint Just and the Commune of Paris. Up to now, all revolutions have been made by moralizing dilettantes. They were always in good faith and perished…” quote by Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/q/i/f17/arthur-koestler-1903_first-time_what-a-mess-rubashov-said-what-a-mess-we_911720.jpg)
““What a mess,” [Rubashov] said, “what a mess we have made of our golden age.” Ivanov smiled. “Maybe,” he said happily. “Look at the Gracchi and Saint Just and the Commune of Paris. Up to now, all revolutions have been made by moralizing dilettantes. They were always in good faith and perished because of their dilettantism. We for the first time are consequent. . . .” “Yes,” said Rubashov. “. . . So consequent that, to settle a difference of opinion, we know only one argument: death . . . . “We all thought one could treat history like one experiments in physics. The difference is that in physics one can repeat the experiment a thousand times, but in history only once. . . . Comrade Bogrov will not come to life again.” “And what follows?” asked Ivanov. “Should we sit with idle hands because the consequences of an act are never quite to be foreseen, and hence all action is evil? We vouch for every act with our heads—more cannot be expected of us. In the opposite camp they are not so scrupulous. Any old idiot of a general can experiment with thousands of living bodies; and if he makes a mistake, he will at most be retired.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage critiques the moral certainty of revolutionary zeal, contrasting idealistic moralizing with pragmatic, consequentialist action that accepts death as ultimate resolution.
In simple terms: Revolutions become pragmatic, treating death as final judgment.
Key Takeaway
Accept consequences, act responsibly.
Themes
politics
ethics
revolution
consequences
history
Mood
reflective
somber
Type
philosophical
political
literary
When to use this quote
- political leadership
- ethical decision making
- historical analysis
- revolutionary movements
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
consequentialism
historical determinism
Questions to Reflect On
- Is pragmatic action always justified?
- How do we balance moral intent with inevitable consequences?
A Different Perspective
Idealistic moralizing can ignore practical outcomes.