Antiwar Quote by Eugene V. Debs
“Every one of the aristocratic conspirators and would-be murderers claims to be an arch-patriot; every one of them insists that the war is being waged to make the world safe for democracy. What humbug! What rot! What false pretense! These... tyrants, these red-handed robbers and murderers, the "patriots," while the men who have the courage to stand face to face with them, speak the truth, and fight for their exploited victims - they are [called] the disloyalists and traitors. If this be true, I want to take my place side by side with the traitors in this fight.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public address by Eugene V. Debs, early 20th century
He denounces the hypocrisy of those who claim patriotism while committing violence, urging solidarity with genuine dissenters.
In simple terms: Calling out false patriots and supporting true rebels.
Key Takeaway
Align with truth over false heroism.
Themes
politics
hypocrisy
activism
justice
solidarity
Mood
defiant
passionate
revolutionary
Type
political
activist
inspirational
When to use this quote
- protests
- labor movements
- civil rights campaigns
- political debates
Key Concepts
patriotism
moral integrity
civil disobedience
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines a true patriot?
- When is dissent justified?
A Different Perspective
The quote may romanticize traitors without addressing potential consequences of rebellion.
![“As Day and other observers had reported, the slaves were leading very comfortable lives. After this tactic [slave rebellions in the South] failed, it became obvious to the conspirators that an actual military invasion was the only solution to their campaign. The merchant bankers of New England…” quote by Eustace Mullins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8f5/eustace-mullins-25201_bankers_as-day-and-other-observers-had-reported_1140278.jpg)
![“There are legions of [Aquarian, New Age, One World Religion] conspirators. They are in corporations, universities, and hospitals, on the faculties of public schools, in factories and doctors offices, in state and federal agencies, on city councils, and the White House staff, in state legislatures…” quote by Marilyn Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8d0/marilyn-ferguson-4496_age_there-are-legions-of-aquarian-new-age-on_667618.jpg)
![“I left that church with rich and royal hatred of the priest as a person, and a loathing for the church as an institution, and I vowed that I would never go inside a church again. [Eugene V. Debs, describing his teenage reaction to a hellfire lecture by a priest]” quote by Eugene V. Debs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/434/eugene-v-debs-7814_church_i-left-that-church-with-rich-and-royal-h_71485.jpg)
