--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If on the one side we do not harbor the…" description: "\"If on the one side we do not harbor the illusion that the entire proletariat must be enlightened before it can be called into battle, so on the other w..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75c/johann-most-24344_agitation_if-on-the-one-side-we-do-not-harbor-the_3005432.jpg" --- # If on the one side we do not harbor the illusion that the… ![“If on the one side we do not harbor the illusion that the entire proletariat must be enlightened before it can be called into battle, so on the other we do not doubt that as much enlightenment as possible must be produced with oral and printed agitation.” quote by Johann Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75c/johann-most-24344_agitation_if-on-the-one-side-we-do-not-harbor-the_3005432.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75c/johann-most-24344_agitation_if-on-the-one-side-we-do-not-harbor-the_3005432.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75c/johann-most-24344_agitation_if-on-the-one-side-we-do-not-harbor-the_3005432.jpg) > “If on the one side we do not harbor the illusion that the entire proletariat must be enlightened before it can be called into battle, so on the other we do not doubt that as much enlightenment as possible must be produced with oral and printed agitation.” [Johann Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-most/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Proletariat need not be fully enlightened before mobilizing; agitation should maximize enlightenment. **In simple terms:** Mobilize while educating. Key Takeaway Combine action with education. Themes revolution education political strategy Mood serious strategic Type political theoretical When to use this quote - labor organizing - political campaigns - grassroots movements Key Concepts marxism propaganda mass agitation Questions to Reflect On - How to balance urgency with thorough education? - What risks arise from partial enlightenment? A Different Perspective Too much agitation can cause backlash. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Agitation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/agitation/) [Battle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/battle/) [Doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) [Doubt Enlightenment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt-enlightenment-4498564/) [Enlightened](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enlightened/) [Enlightened Called](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enlightened-called-4792356/) [Enlightenment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enlightenment/) [Enlightenment Possible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enlightenment-possible-3655931/) [Harbors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/harbors/) [Illusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illusion/) [Printed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/printed/) [Proletariat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proletariat/) [Proletariat Enlightened](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proletariat-enlightened-4792355/) [Sides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sides/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [“Shall I think that the Creator has made man so as to leave him to debate endlessly in the intellectual miseries that surround us?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/shall-i-think-that-the-creator-has-made-man-so-as-to-leave-him-to/) [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/) > [Enlightenment is very possible for the ordinary individual. Actually, it is easier than for someone who thinks that they are special.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-shankar/enlightenment-is-very-possible-for-the-ordinary-individual-actually/) [Ravi Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-shankar/) > [Whether or not enlightenment is possible at the moment of death, the practices that prepare one for this possibility also bring one closer to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-halifax/whether-or-not-enlightenment-is-possible-at-the-moment-of-death-the/) [Joan Halifax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-halifax/) > [Fortunately, no country was ever more suited for anarchist agitation than present-day America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-most/fortunately-no-country-was-ever-more-suited-for-anarchist-agitation/) [Johann Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-most/) > [The anarchists, on behalf of the proletariat, therefore consider it necessary to show the proletariat that it will have to win a gigantic battle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-most/the-anarchists-on-behalf-of-the-proletariat-therefore-consider-it/) [Johann Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-most/) > [Agitation is that part of our intellectual life where vitality results; there ideas are born, breed and bring forth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-edward-woodberry/agitation-is-that-part-of-our-intellectual-life-where-vitality/) [George Edward Woodberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-edward-woodberry/) > [“Mirabeau: “If you have been told to clear us from this hall, you must ask for orders to use force. We shall leave our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-mantel/mirabeau-if-you-have-been-told-to-clear-us-from-this-hall-you-must/) [Hilary Mantel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-mantel/) > [The wisest among my race understand that agitations of social equality is the extremist folly, and that progress in the enjoyment of all privileges…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/the-wisest-among-my-race-understand-that-agitations-of-social/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [We too are called to withdraw at certain intervals into deeper silence and aloneness with God, together as a community as well as personally;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/we-too-are-called-to-withdraw-at-certain-intervals-into-deeper/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) > [“If lies comfort, and truth disturbs - self is being agitated as a result of prideful living.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-f-hodge/if-lies-comfort-and-truth-disturbs-self-is-being-agitated-as-a-result/) [T.F. Hodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-f-hodge/) > [“It is unworthy of great spirits to spread abroad the agitation they feel”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/it-is-unworthy-of-great-spirits-to-spread-abroad-the-agitation-they/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [This position is untenable, and there can be no pause in the agitation for full political power and responsibility until these are granted to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-kelley/this-position-is-untenable-and-there-can-be-no-pause-in-the-agitation/) [Florence Kelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-kelley/) > [...the Government must not think that they can stop this agitation. It will go on...We are here not because we are law-breakers; we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emmeline-pankhurst/the-government-must-not-think-that-they-can-stop-this-agitation-it/) [Emmeline Pankhurst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emmeline-pankhurst/) > [Indifference is harder to fight than hostility, and there is nothing that kills an agitation like having everybody admit that it is fundamentally right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/crystal-eastman/indifference-is-harder-to-fight-than-hostility-and-there-is-nothing/) [Crystal Eastman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/crystal-eastman/) > [The party in Alobar’s head, which agitation and anxiety were throwing, now was crashed by a notion: existence can be rearranged.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/the-party-in-alobar-s-head-which-agitation-and-anxiety-were-throwing/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) ## More by Johann Most > [The aims of anarchists and true communists are identical.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-most/the-aims-of-anarchists-and-true-communists-are-identical/) [Johann Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-most/) > [They make revolutionary propaganda because they know the privileged class can never be overturned peacefully.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-most/they-make-revolutionary-propaganda-because-they-know-the-privileged/) [Johann Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-most/) > [Anarchists are socialists because they want the improvement of society, and they are communists because they are convinced that such a transformation of society…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-most/anarchists-are-socialists-because-they-want-the-improvement-of/) [Johann Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-most/) > [As set forth by theologians, the idea of 'God' is an argument that assumes its own conclusions, and proves nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-most/as-set-forth-by-theologians-the-idea-of-god-is-an-argument-that/) [Johann Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-most/) > [If we hope and even assume that the social question will be answered through communism, and not in this or that country but in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-most/if-we-hope-and-even-assume-that-the-social-question-will-be-answered/) [Johann Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-most/) > [Is anarchism possible? The failure of attempts to attain freedom does not mean the cause is lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-most/is-anarchism-possible-the-failure-of-attempts-to-attain-freedom-does/) [Johann Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-most/) > [Above all, what socialist, without flushing with shame, maintains he is not a revolutionary? We say: none!.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-most/above-all-what-socialist-without-flushing-with-shame-maintains-he-is/) [Johann Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-most/) > [Anarchists prepare for social revolution and use every means - speech, writing, or deed, whichever is more to the point; to accelerate revolutionary development.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-most/anarchists-prepare-for-social-revolution-and-use-every-means-speech/) [Johann Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-most/) > [Among all mental diseases that have been systematically inoculated into the human cranium, the religious pest is the most abominable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-most/among-all-mental-diseases-that-have-been-systematically-inoculated/) [Johann Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-most/) > [The aims of anarchists and true communists are identical. The anarchists, on behalf of the proletariat, therefore consider it necessary to show the proletariat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-most/the-aims-of-anarchists-and-true-communists-are-identical-the/) [Johann Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-most/) > [The god of the Christians, as we have seen, is the god who makes promises only to break them; who sends them pestilence and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-most/the-god-of-the-christians-as-we-have-seen-is-the-god-who-makes/) [Johann Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-most/) > [It is the lash of hunger which compels the poor man to submit. In order to live he must sell - 'voluntarily' sell -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-most/it-is-the-lash-of-hunger-which-compels-the-poor-man-to-submit-in/) [Johann Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-most/) > [Fortunately, no country was ever more suited for anarchist agitation than present-day America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-most/fortunately-no-country-was-ever-more-suited-for-anarchist-agitation/) [Johann Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-most/) > [While we have entertained the contention that a deed may make more propaganda than hundreds of speeches, thousands of articles, and tens of thousands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-most/while-we-have-entertained-the-contention-that-a-deed-may-make-more/) [Johann Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-most/) > [The existing system will be quickest and most radically overthrown by the annihilation of its exponents. Therefore, massacres of the enemies of the people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-most/the-existing-system-will-be-quickest-and-most-radically-overthrown-by/) [Johann Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-most/) [Explore all 24 Johann Most quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-most/) ## More Agitation quotes > [The party in Alobar’s head, which agitation and anxiety were throwing, now was crashed by a notion: existence can be rearranged.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/the-party-in-alobar-s-head-which-agitation-and-anxiety-were-throwing/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [Indifference is harder to fight than hostility, and there is nothing that kills an agitation like having everybody admit that it is fundamentally right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/crystal-eastman/indifference-is-harder-to-fight-than-hostility-and-there-is-nothing/) [Crystal Eastman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/crystal-eastman/) > [...the Government must not think that they can stop this agitation. It will go on...We are here not because we are law-breakers; we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emmeline-pankhurst/the-government-must-not-think-that-they-can-stop-this-agitation-it/) [Emmeline Pankhurst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emmeline-pankhurst/) > [This position is untenable, and there can be no pause in the agitation for full political power and responsibility until these are granted to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-kelley/this-position-is-untenable-and-there-can-be-no-pause-in-the-agitation/) [Florence Kelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-kelley/) > [“It is unworthy of great spirits to spread abroad the agitation they feel”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/it-is-unworthy-of-great-spirits-to-spread-abroad-the-agitation-they/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [“If lies comfort, and truth disturbs - self is being agitated as a result of prideful living.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-f-hodge/if-lies-comfort-and-truth-disturbs-self-is-being-agitated-as-a-result/) [T.F. Hodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-f-hodge/) > [We too are called to withdraw at certain intervals into deeper silence and aloneness with God, together as a community as well as personally;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/we-too-are-called-to-withdraw-at-certain-intervals-into-deeper/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) > [The wisest among my race understand that agitations of social equality is the extremist folly, and that progress in the enjoyment of all privileges…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/the-wisest-among-my-race-understand-that-agitations-of-social/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [“Mirabeau: “If you have been told to clear us from this hall, you must ask for orders to use force. We shall leave our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-mantel/mirabeau-if-you-have-been-told-to-clear-us-from-this-hall-you-must/) [Hilary Mantel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-mantel/) > [Agitation is that part of our intellectual life where vitality results; there ideas are born, breed and bring forth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-edward-woodberry/agitation-is-that-part-of-our-intellectual-life-where-vitality/) [George Edward Woodberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-edward-woodberry/) > [It is not proper to project our feelings onto things or to attribute our own sensations and passions to them. Can it also be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavio-paz/it-is-not-proper-to-project-our-feelings-onto-things-or-to-attribute/) [Octavio Paz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavio-paz/) > [Agitation is all about poetry, governance is all about prose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jairam-ramesh/agitation-is-all-about-poetry-governance-is-all-about-prose/) [Jairam Ramesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jairam-ramesh/) > [Wherever capitalism appears, in pursuit of its mission of exploitation, there will Socialism, fertilized by misery, watered by tears, and vitalized by agitation be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-v-debs/wherever-capitalism-appears-in-pursuit-of-its-mission-of-exploitation/) [Eugene V. Debs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-v-debs/) > [Patience takes courage. It is not an ideal state of calm. In fact, when we practice patience we will see our agitation far more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/patience-takes-courage-it-is-not-an-ideal-state-of-calm-in-fact-when/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [Every day I observe more and more the folly of judging of others by ourselves; and I have so much trouble with myself, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/every-day-i-observe-more-and-more-the-folly-of-judging-of-others-by/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) [Browse all 173 Agitation quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/agitation/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If on the one side we do not harbor the illusion that the entire proletariat must be enlightened before it can be called into battle, so on the other we do not doubt that as much enlightenment as possible must be produced with oral and printed agitation.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Johann Most" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-most/if-on-the-one-side-we-do-not-harbor-the-illusion-that-the-entire/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Agitation" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-most/if-on-the-one-side-we-do-not-harbor-the-illusion-that-the-entire/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75c/johann-most-24344_agitation_if-on-the-one-side-we-do-not-harbor-the_3005432.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75c/johann-most-24344_agitation_if-on-the-one-side-we-do-not-harbor-the_3005432.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75c/johann-most-24344_agitation_if-on-the-one-side-we-do-not-harbor-the_3005432.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If on the one side we do not harbor the illusion that the entire proletariat must be enlightened before it…” — Johann Most", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Johann Most", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-most/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If on the one side we...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-most/if-on-the-one-side-we-do-not-harbor-the-illusion-that-the-entire/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-most/if-on-the-one-side-we-do-not-harbor-the-illusion-that-the-entire/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```