What will become of us in twenty years’ time?” we asked…
““What will become of us in twenty years’ time?” we asked ourselves one evening. Thirty years have passed now. Raymond was guillotined: “Anarchist gangster” (so the newspapers). I came across Jean again in Brussels, a worker and a trade-union organizer, still a fighter for liberty after ten years in jail. Luce has died of tuberculosis, naturally. For my part, I have undergone a little over ten years of various forms of captivity, agitated in seven countries, and written twenty books. I own nothing. On several occasions a Press with a vast circulation has hurled filth at me because I spoke the truth. Behind us lies a victorious revolution gone astray, several abortive attempts at revolution, and massacres in so great a number as to inspire a certain dizziness. And to think that it is not over yet.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Reflects on the cyclical nature of revolution, personal sacrifice, and the lingering hope despite setbacks.
In simple terms: Revolution repeats, suffering endures, hope persists.
Embrace resilience and keep fighting for liberty.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- activism
- journalism
- academic study
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What can we learn from past revolutions to avoid repeating mistakes?
- How does personal sacrifice shape collective change?
Revolutions often betray original ideals, leading to disillusionment.