Appropriation Quote by Karl Marx
“All that we want to do away with is the miserable character of this appropriation, under which the labourer lives merely to increase capital , and allowed to live only so far as the interest to the ruling class requires it.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Capital, Volume I, Karl Marx, 1867
The quote criticizes how workers are reduced to tools for profit, living only as long as they serve the ruling class’s interests.
In simple terms: Workers are exploited for profit, living only to serve capital.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge exploitative labor systems.
Themes
exploitation
class struggle
labor rights
Mood
critical
urgent
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- union organizing
- policy reform
- ethical consumption
- worker cooperatives
Key Concepts
capitalism
alienation
class conflict
Questions to Reflect On
- How can workers gain agency within capitalist structures?
- What alternatives can reduce exploitation?
A Different Perspective
It may overlook individual agency and diverse motivations among workers.
