--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If anything is certain, it is that I…" description: "\"“If anything is certain, it is that I myself am not a Marxist. [ In a letter about the peculiar 'Marxism' which arose in France 1882 ]”\" — Karl Marx" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/067/karl-marx-399_marxism_if-anything-is-certain-it-is-that-i-myse_2450919.jpg" --- # If anything is certain, it is that I myself am not a… ![“If anything is certain, it is that I myself am not a Marxist. [ In a letter about the peculiar 'Marxism' which arose in France 1882 ]” quote by Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/067/karl-marx-399_marxism_if-anything-is-certain-it-is-that-i-myse_2450919.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/067/karl-marx-399_marxism_if-anything-is-certain-it-is-that-i-myse_2450919.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/067/karl-marx-399_marxism_if-anything-is-certain-it-is-that-i-myse_2450919.jpg) > ““If anything is certain, it is that I myself am not a Marxist. \[ In a letter about the peculiar 'Marxism' which arose in France 1882 \]”” [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Marx denies being a Marxist, highlighting a distinction between his ideas and later interpretations. **In simple terms:** Marx says he is not a Marxist, separating his thoughts from later movements. Key Takeaway Recognize that labels can misrepresent original intent. Themes political theory identity interpretation historical context Mood thoughtful analytical reflective Type statement clarification historical When to use this quote - academic discourse - political debate - historical analysis - education - media reporting Key Concepts philosophy politics ideology mislabeling Questions to Reflect On - How do we define “Marxist”? - What impact do such denials have on movements? A Different Perspective The statement may oversimplify complex ideological evolution. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Marxism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marxism/) [Marxist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marxist/) ## Related quotes > [If anything is certain, it is that I myself am not a Marxist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/if-anything-is-certain-it-is-that-i-myself-am-not-a-marxist/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [I was certain that I was not a Marxist, but I did believe firmly that a connection between economics and politics existed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-gilpin/i-was-certain-that-i-was-not-a-marxist-but-i-did-believe-firmly-that/) [Robert Gilpin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-gilpin/) > [In an abstract but real sense, Marxism arose through the breakdown first of religion and then of 'reason' as single sources of authority.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-crick/in-an-abstract-but-real-sense-marxism-arose-through-the-breakdown/) [Bernard Crick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-crick/) > [At the same time, of course, Marxism arose - Rosa Luxembourg, Leninism, anarchism - and art became political.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-sirk/at-the-same-time-of-course-marxism-arose-rosa-luxembourg-leninism/) [Douglas Sirk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-sirk/) > [Unity is a great thing and a great slogan. But what the workers’ cause needs is the unity of Marxists, not unity between Marxists,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-lenin/unity-is-a-great-thing-and-a-great-slogan-but-what-the-workers-cause/) [Vladimir Lenin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-lenin/) > [Some liberation theologians maintain that they are not influenced by Marxist philosophy at all. In this case it is necessary to discern whether they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernesto-cardenal/some-liberation-theologians-maintain-that-they-are-not-influenced-by/) [Ernesto Cardenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernesto-cardenal/) > [There are people, of course, who profess to be libertarian Marxists. I believe they mean very well, and I even write in their periodicals;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/murray-bookchin/there-are-people-of-course-who-profess-to-be-libertarian-marxists-i/) [Murray Bookchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/murray-bookchin/) > [The religious quality of Marxism also explains a characteristic attitude of the orthodox Marxist toward opponents. To him, as to any believer in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-a-schumpeter/the-religious-quality-of-marxism-also-explains-a-characteristic/) [Joseph A. Schumpeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-a-schumpeter/) > [“On Monday morning, I rode the elevator up nine stories while fantasizing about a Marxist uprising where temps took control of the means of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-barker/on-monday-morning-i-rode-the-elevator-up-nine-stories-while/) [Steven Barker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-barker/) > [The Marxist critique is only a critique of capital, a critique coming from the heart of the middle and petit bourgeois classes, for which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-baudrillard/the-marxist-critique-is-only-a-critique-of-capital-a-critique-coming/) [Jean Baudrillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-baudrillard/) > [“Critical Theory’s influence on the New Left in the late 1960s and 1970s ensured that American society would be infected by this Marxist malignancy.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-chandler/critical-theory-s-influence-on-the-new-left-in-the-late-1960s-and/) [Robert Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-chandler/) > [“...the working classes—that motor of social transformation which Marx increasingly stipulated for the role of the proletariat; the dispossessed and alienated revolutionary vehicle of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-p-nettl/the-working-classes-that-motor-of-social-transformation-which-marx/) J. P. Nettl > [Marxism is the opium of the Marxists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-robinson/marxism-is-the-opium-of-the-marxists/) [Joan Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-robinson/) > [Liberalism makes this mistake in regard to private property and Marxism makes it in regard to socialized property... The Marxist illusion is partly derived…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reinhold-niebuhr/liberalism-makes-this-mistake-in-regard-to-private-property-and/) [Reinhold Niebuhr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reinhold-niebuhr/) > [“I should say that it was only for me that Marxism seemed over. Surely, I would tell G. at least once a week, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katha-pollitt/i-should-say-that-it-was-only-for-me-that-marxism-seemed-over-surely/) [Katha Pollitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katha-pollitt/) ## More by Karl Marx > [“Economists have a singular method of procedure. There are only two kinds of institutions for them, artificial and natural. The institutions of feudalism are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/economists-have-a-singular-method-of-procedure-there-are-only-two/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [As the variable capital always stays in the hands of the capitalist in some form or other, it cannot be claimed in any way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/as-the-variable-capital-always-stays-in-the-hands-of-the-capitalist/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [Money degrades all the gods of man and converts them into commodities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/money-degrades-all-the-gods-of-man-and-converts-them-into-commodities/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [As a beast of toil an ox is fixed capital. If he is eaten, he no longer functions as an instrument of labour, nor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/as-a-beast-of-toil-an-ox-is-fixed-capital-if-he-is-eaten-he-no-longer/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [Communism... is the genuine resolution of the antagonism between man and nature and between man and man; it is the true resolution of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/communism-is-the-genuine-resolution-of-the-antagonism-between-man-and/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [It is not the consciousness of men that determines their being, but, on the contrary, their social being that determines their consciousness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/it-is-not-the-consciousness-of-men-that-determines-their-being-but-on/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [Philosophy is to the real world as masturbation is to sex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/philosophy-is-to-the-real-world-as-masturbation-is-to-sex/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [“Go on, get out! Last words are for fools who haven't said enough!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/go-on-get-out-last-words-are-for-fools-who-haven-t-said-enough/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [“If you love without evoking love in return - if through the vital expression of yourself as a loving person you fail to become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/if-you-love-without-evoking-love-in-return-if-through-the-vital/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [Do not be deluded by the abstract word Freedom. Whose freedom? Not the freedom of one individual in relation to another, but freedom of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/do-not-be-deluded-by-the-abstract-word-freedom-whose-freedom-not-the/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [The burgeoisie, by the rapid improvement of all instruments of production, by the immensely facilitated means of communication, draws all nations into civilization.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/the-burgeoisie-by-the-rapid-improvement-of-all-instruments-of/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [Ideas do not exist separately from language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/ideas-do-not-exist-separately-from-language/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [So in Jewry we recognise a contemporary universal anti-social phenomenon, which has reached its present pitch through a process of, historical development in which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/so-in-jewry-we-recognise-a-contemporary-universal-anti-social/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [The class struggle necessarily leads to the dictatorship of the proletariat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/the-class-struggle-necessarily-leads-to-the-dictatorship-of-the/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [If this labourer were in possession of his own means of production, and was satisfied to live as a labourer, he need not work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/if-this-labourer-were-in-possession-of-his-own-means-of-production/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) [Explore all 571 Karl Marx quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) ## More Marxism quotes > [“I should say that it was only for me that Marxism seemed over. Surely, I would tell G. at least once a week, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katha-pollitt/i-should-say-that-it-was-only-for-me-that-marxism-seemed-over-surely/) [Katha Pollitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katha-pollitt/) > [The dialectic is neither fiction nor mysticism, but a science of the forms of our thinking insofar as it is not limited to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leon-trotsky/the-dialectic-is-neither-fiction-nor-mysticism-but-a-science-of-the/) [Leon Trotsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leon-trotsky/) > [Even if we have to go without bread, we Albanians do not violate principles. We do not betray Marxism - Leninism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enver-hoxha/even-if-we-have-to-go-without-bread-we-albanians-do-not-violate/) [Enver Hoxha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enver-hoxha/) > [Marxism is like a classical building that followed the Renaissance; beautiful in its way, but incapable of growth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-macmillan/marxism-is-like-a-classical-building-that-followed-the-renaissance/) [Harold MacMillan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-macmillan/) > [Sea Shepherd is to terrorism what Groucho was to Marxism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-watson/sea-shepherd-is-to-terrorism-what-groucho-was-to-marxism/) [Paul Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-watson/) > [The forces of immorality and Marxism and evil count on one thing: Us not showing up. And often, they're justified in that. And I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-shea/the-forces-of-immorality-and-marxism-and-evil-count-on-one-thing-us/) [Matt Shea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-shea/) > [“Britta wanted to try to turn a guard. Tamara thought it was idiotic. “What are you going to do? Buy him beer and tell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vanessa-veselka/britta-wanted-to-try-to-turn-a-guard-tamara-thought-it-was-idiotic/) [Vanessa Veselka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vanessa-veselka/) > [Liberalism makes this mistake in regard to private property and Marxism makes it in regard to socialized property... The Marxist illusion is partly derived…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reinhold-niebuhr/liberalism-makes-this-mistake-in-regard-to-private-property-and/) [Reinhold Niebuhr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reinhold-niebuhr/) > [One of the great problems of philosophy, is the relationship between the realm of knowledge and the realm of values. Knowledge is what is;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-monod/one-of-the-great-problems-of-philosophy-is-the-relationship-between/) [Jacques Monod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-monod/) > [Marxism is the opium of the Marxists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-robinson/marxism-is-the-opium-of-the-marxists/) [Joan Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-robinson/) > [“Marxism rejected the family and the state, but in practice it kept these institutions. Every pure religion disapproved of man's worrying about this world,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alija-izetbegovic/marxism-rejected-the-family-and-the-state-but-in-practice-it-kept/) [Alija Izetbegović](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alija-izetbegovic/) > [If people don't like Marxism, they should blame the British Museum.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-gorbachev/if-people-don-t-like-marxism-they-should-blame-the-british-museum/) [Mikhail Gorbachev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-gorbachev/) > [“The trouble with Marxism is that it takes up too many evenings.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/the-trouble-with-marxism-is-that-it-takes-up-too-many-evenings/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [ \[Marxism will\] in a generation or so \[go\] into the limbo of most heresies, but meanwhile it will have poisoned the Russian Revolution. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/marxism-will-in-a-generation-or-so-go-into-the-limbo-of-most-heresies/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [“Time is the ultimate form of socialism. Each receives the same amount equally, yet how we manage our time is reflected by our lives.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-mol/time-is-the-ultimate-form-of-socialism-each-receives-the-same-amount/) Donald Mol [Browse all 366 Marxism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marxism/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“If anything is certain, it is that I myself am not a Marxist. 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