Whittaker Chambers Quotes

A collection of quotes by Whittaker Chambers.

Whittaker Chambers (born Jay Vivian Chambers; April 1, 1901 – July 9, 1961) was an American writer, editor, and former Communist Party member who later became an outspoken critic of communism. He is best known for his role as a key witness in the famous Alger Hiss espionage case that took place in the late 1940s.

Chambers began his career as a Communist Party member and worked briefly as a translator for the Soviet Union's GRU intelligence agency. However, disillusioned with communism and its ideology, he defected from the party in 1938 and began providing information to American intelligence agencies about Soviet espionage activities. Chambers' defection and subsequent cooperation with authorities led to the exposure and downfall of numerous Soviet spies operating within the United States government.

In 1948, Chambers testified before the House Un-American Activities Committee, accusing Alger Hiss, a former government official and member of the State Department, of being a communist and an espionage agent. This highly-publicized trial captivated the nation and led to Hiss's conviction for perjury. The Hiss case became a significant event during the Cold War era and solidified Chambers' reputation as a prominent anti-communist figure.

Following the trial, Chambers pursued a career in writing and became a senior editor at Time magazine. He authored a critically acclaimed autobiography titled "Witness" in 1952, which detailed his experiences as a Communist Party member and his disillusionment with communism. Whittaker Chambers passed away on July 9, 1961, leaving behind a controversial legacy as a devoted communist turned fervent anti-communist.

Tragedy occurs when a human soul awakes and seeks, in suffer

Tragedy occurs when a human soul awakes and seeks, in suffering and pain, to free itself from crime, violence, infamy, even at the cost of life. The struggle is the tragedy - not defeat or death.

Whittaker Chambers

Life Death Pain Crime

At issue in the Hiss Case was the question whether this sick

At issue in the Hiss Case was the question whether this sick society, which we call Western civilization, could in its extremity still cast up a man whose faith in it was so great that he would voluntarily abandon those things which men hold good, including life, to defend it.

Whittaker Chambers

Faith

At issue was the question whether this man's faith could pre

At issue was the question whether this man's faith could prevail against a man whose equal faith it was that this society is sick beyond saving, and that mercy itself pleads for its swift extinction and replacement by another.

Whittaker Chambers

Faith

A witness, in the sense that I am using the word, is a man w

A witness, in the sense that I am using the word, is a man whose life and faith are so completely one that when the challenge comes to step out and testify for his faith, he does so, disregarding all risks, accepting all consequences.

Whittaker Chambers

Faith

Human societies, like human beings, live by faith and die wh

Human societies, like human beings, live by faith and die when faith dies.

Whittaker Chambers

Faith