Emma Goldman Quotes

A collection of quotes by Emma Goldman.

Emma Goldman (1869-1940) was a prominent anarchist and feminist activist during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in Kovno, Lithuania (then part of the Russian Empire), she migrated to the United States in 1885, seeking refuge from political persecution. Goldman quickly became involved in radical politics and devoted her life to fighting for social justice and individual freedom.

Goldman played a key role in advocating for various causes, including free speech, workers' rights, birth control, and gender equality. She was an outspoken critic of capitalism, advocating instead for an anarchist society based on voluntary cooperation and communal ownership. Goldman believed that true freedom could only be achieved through revolution and the complete abolition of all forms of authority and hierarchy.

Through her powerful speeches and writings, which she delivered across the United States, Europe, and Canada, Goldman inspired numerous activists and workers to challenge the prevailing social and economic systems. However, her radical views and direct involvement in disruptive protests often led to frequent arrests and even imprisonment.

Emma Goldman's legacy continues to influence contemporary anarchist and feminist movements. Her commitment to individual autonomy, egalitarianism, and social change serves as an inspiration for those fighting for justice and equality today. Although she faced significant opposition and repression during her lifetime, Goldman's uncompromising dedication to her principles has solidified her place as an important figure in the history of radical politics.

If I can't dance, I don't want to be part of your revolution

If I can't dance, I don't want to be part of your revolution.

Morality and its victim, the mother - what a terrible pictur

Morality and its victim, the mother - what a terrible picture! Is there indeed anything more terrible, more criminal, than our glorified sacred function of motherhood?

When one has been threatened with a great injustice, one acc

When one has been threatened with a great injustice, one accepts a smaller as a favour.

Love is it's own protection.

Love is it's own protection.

Love Marriage Anarchism

On rare occasions one does hear of a miraculous case of a ma

On rare occasions one does hear of a miraculous case of a married couple falling in love after marriage, but on close examination it will be found that it is a mere adjustment to the inevitable.

Marriage

The most unpardonable sin in society is independence of thou

The most unpardonable sin in society is independence of thought.

Society

The history of progress is written in the blood of men and w

The history of progress is written in the blood of men and women who have dared to espouse an unpopular cause, as, for instance, the black man's right to his body, or woman's right to her soul.

Reason

Before we can forgive one another, we have to understand one

Before we can forgive one another, we have to understand one another.

Understanding

I want freedom, the right to self expression, everybodys rig

I want freedom, the right to self expression, everybodys right to beautiful radiant things. Anarchism meant that to me, and I would live it in spite of the whole world Ã¢Â€Â“ prisons, persecution, everything. Yes, even in spite of the condemnation of my own comrades I would live my beautiful ideal.

Life

The higher mental development of woman, the less possible it

The higher mental development of woman, the less possible it is for her to meet a congenial male who will see in her, not only sex, but also the human being, the friend, the comrade and strong individuality, who cannot and ought not lose a single trait of her character.

Women

Crime is naught but misdirected energy.

Crime is naught but misdirected energy.

Crime

The motto should not be: Forgive one another; rather underst

The motto should not be: Forgive one another; rather understand one another.

Understanding

Since every effort in our educational life seems to be direc

Since every effort in our educational life seems to be directed toward making of the child a being foreign to itself, it must of necessity produce individuals foreign to one another, and in everlasting antagonism with each other.

Education

Women need not always keep their mouths shut and their wombs

Women need not always keep their mouths shut and their wombs open.

Women

If voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal.

If voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal.

Politics

I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck.

I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck.

Valentinesday

Anarchism asserts the possibility of an organization without

Anarchism asserts the possibility of an organization without discipline, fear, or punishment, and without the pressure of poverty: a new social organism which will make an end to the terrible struggle for the means of existence, --the savage struggle which undermines the finest qualities in man, and ever widens the social abyss. In short, Anarchism strives towards a social organization which will establish well-being for all.

Anarchy

Anarchism is the great liberator of man from the phantoms th

Anarchism is the great liberator of man from the phantoms that have held him captive it is the arbiter and pacifier of the two forces for individual and social harmony.

Great

No real social change has ever been brought about without a

No real social change has ever been brought about without a revolution... revolution is but thought carried into action.

Change

There is no hope even that woman, with her right to vote, wi

There is no hope even that woman, with her right to vote, will ever purify politics.

Hope