Communism Quote by Jean-Paul Sartre
![“What do you want to do with the [Communist] Party? A racing stable? What good is it to sharpen a knife every day if you never useit for slicing? A party is never more than a means. There is only one objective: power.” quote by Jean-Paul Sartre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d4e/jean-paul-sartre-220_communism_what-do-you-want-to-do-with-the-communis_1978434.jpg)
“What do you want to do with the [Communist] Party? A racing stable? What good is it to sharpen a knife every day if you never useit for slicing? A party is never more than a means. There is only one objective: power.”
About This Quote
Source Play: No Exit, 1944
Power is the ultimate aim of political groups, regardless of their stated ideals.
In simple terms: Politics seeks power.
Key Takeaway
Question the true motives behind movements.
Themes
politics
power
ideology
Mood
skeptical
critical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- activism
- party membership
- policy debates
- campaigns
Key Concepts
philosophy
critical theory
Questions to Reflect On
- What hidden agendas exist in current parties?
- How does power influence policy?
A Different Perspective
Idealistic rhetoric can mask power grabs.
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![“At that time [1954], as a result of political events, I was deeply preoccupied by my relations with the Communist Party.” quote by Jean-Paul Sartre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/292/jean-paul-sartre-220_communist_at-that-time-1954-as-a-result-of-politic_1843664.jpg)
![“The [Communist] Party has one objective: the creation of a socialist economy; and one means: the utilization of the class struggle.” quote by Jean-Paul Sartre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3cb/jean-paul-sartre-220_class_the-communist-party-has-one-objective-th_1343527.jpg)
![“[American Communist Party] legally exists in the U.S.A., it nominates its candidates in the elections, including Presidential elections.” quote by Joseph Stalin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dca/joseph-stalin-1734_candidates_american-communist-party-legally-exists_113675.jpg)
![“[Stéphane Mallarmé] theory of the hermetic is a mistake, but he can be only difficult to read when he has difficult things to say.” quote by Jean-Paul Sartre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/35f/jean-paul-sartre-220_difficult_st-phane-mallarm-theory-of-the-hermetic_20348.jpg)
