Army Quote by Eugene V. Debs
“I am not a capitalist soldier; I am a proletarian revolutionist. I do not belong to the regular army of the plutocracy, but to the irregular army of the people. I refuse to obey any command to fight from the ruling class, but I will not wait to be commanded to fight for the working class. I am opposed to every war but one; I am for that war with heart and soul, and that is the world-wide war of social revolution. In that war I am prepared to fight in any way the ruling class may make necessary, even to the barricades.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Labor Rally, 1918, United States
He declares loyalty to the working class, rejecting capitalist armies and pledging to fight for social revolution in any form required by the people.
In simple terms: He refuses to serve the rich, wants to fight for workers.
Key Takeaway
Join the struggle for workers’ rights.
Themes
revolution
class struggle
anti‑war
solidarity
Mood
defiant
determined
radical
Type
political
activist
When to use this quote
- union organizing
- political protests
- community defense
- direct action
Key Concepts
Marxism
political activism
militant resistance
Questions to Reflect On
- What personal sacrifices are needed for revolutionary commitment?
- How can one balance anti‑war stance with support for a specific war?
A Different Perspective
May limit effectiveness when faced with overwhelming state power.
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