Alexander Herzen Quotes

A collection of quotes by Alexander Herzen.

Alexander Herzen (1812-1870) was a Russian writer, thinker, and political activist. Nurtured in the ideology of socialism, he later became one of the most influential critics of Russian autocracy and a proponent of social reform. His periodical "The Bell" played a crucial role in disseminating liberal ideas during the mid-19th century. Herzen's works, such as "From the Other Shore" and "My Past and Thoughts," challenged established beliefs and advocated for the emancipation of serfs and democratic reforms. His intellectual contributions and opposition to oppressive regimes made him an influential figure in shaping revolutionary movements of the time.

This socialism will develop in all its phases until it reach

This socialism will develop in all its phases until it reaches its own extremes and absurdities. Then once again a cry of denial will break from the titanic chest of the revolutionary minority and again a mortal struggle will begin, in which socialism will play the role of contemporary conservatism and will be overwhelmed in the subsequent revolution, as yet unknown to us.

Alexander Herzen

Slavery is the first step towards civilization. In order to

Slavery is the first step towards civilization. In order to develop it is necessary that things should be much better for some and much worse for others, then those who are better off can develop at the expense of others.

Alexander Herzen

A generation which has passed through the shop has absorbed

A generation which has passed through the shop has absorbed standards and ambitions which are not of those of spaciousness, and cannot get away from them. Everything with them is done as though for sale, and they naturally have in view the greatest possible benefit, profit and that end of the stuff that will make the best show.

Alexander Herzen

There is nothing in the world more stubborn than a corpse: y

There is nothing in the world more stubborn than a corpse: you can hit it, you can knock it to pieces, but you cannot convince it.

Alexander Herzen

Unaware of the absurdity of it, we introduce our own petty h

Unaware of the absurdity of it, we introduce our own petty household rules into the economy of the universe for which the life of generations, peoples, of entire planets, has no importance in relation to the general development.

Alexander Herzen

If nations always moved from one set of furnished rooms to a

If nations always moved from one set of furnished rooms to another -- and always into a better set -- things might be easier, but the trouble is that there is no one to prepare the new rooms. The future is worse than the ocean -- there is nothing there. It will be what men and circumstances make it.

Alexander Herzen

Nationalism Nation Nationality

Education at school continues what has been done at home: it

Education at school continues what has been done at home: it crystallizes the optical illusion, consolidates it with book learning, theoretically legitimizes the traditional trash and trains the children to know without understanding and to accept denominations for definitions. Astray in his conceptions, entangled in words, man loses the flair for truth, the taste for nature. What a powerful intellect must you possess, to be suspicious of this moral carbon dioxide and with your head swimming already, to hurl yourself out of it into the fresh air, with which, into the bargain, everyone round is trying to scare you!

Alexander Herzen

Science, which cuts its way through the muddy pond of daily

Science, which cuts its way through the muddy pond of daily life without mingling with it, casts its wealth to right and left, but the puny boatmen do not know how to fish for it.

Alexander Herzen

I am truly horrified by modern man. Such absence of feeling,

I am truly horrified by modern man. Such absence of feeling, such narrowness of outlook, such lack of passion and information, such feebleness of thought.

Alexander Herzen

Modern Modernism

Life has taught me to think, but thinking has not taught me

Life has taught me to think, but thinking has not taught me to live.

Alexander Herzen

It is possible to lead astray an entire generation, to strik

It is possible to lead astray an entire generation, to strike it blind, to drive it insane, to direct it towards a false goal. Napoleon proved this.

Alexander Herzen

People who have realized that this is a dream imagine that i

People who have realized that this is a dream imagine that it is easy to wake up, and are angry with those who continue sleeping, not considering that the whole world that environs them does not permit them to wake. Life proceeds as a series of optical illusions, artificial needs and imaginary sensations.

Alexander Herzen

All religions have based morality on obedience, that is to s

All religions have based morality on obedience, that is to say, on voluntary slavery. That is why they have always been more pernicious than any political organization. For the latter makes use of violence, the former -- of the corruption of the will.

Alexander Herzen

You can no more bridle passions with logic than you can just

You can no more bridle passions with logic than you can justify them in the law courts. Passions are facts and not dogmas.

Alexander Herzen

Liberalism, austere in political trifles, has learned ever m

Liberalism, austere in political trifles, has learned ever more artfully to unite a constant protest against the government with a constant submission to it.

Alexander Herzen

We have wasted our spirit in the regions of the abstract and

We have wasted our spirit in the regions of the abstract and general just as the monks let it wither in the world of prayer and contemplation.

Alexander Herzen

Human development is a form of chronological unfairness, sin

Human development is a form of chronological unfairness, since late-comers are able to profit by the labors of their predecessors without paying the same price.

Alexander Herzen

No one is to blame. It is neither their fault nor ours. It i

No one is to blame. It is neither their fault nor ours. It is the misfortune of being born when a whole world is dying.

Alexander Herzen

Reform Correction

Would it be possible to stand still on one spot more majesti

Would it be possible to stand still on one spot more majestically -- while simulating a triumphant march forward -- than it is done by the two English Houses of Parliament?

Alexander Herzen

We could hardly believe that after so many ordeals, after al

We could hardly believe that after so many ordeals, after all the trials of modern skepticism, there was still so much left in our souls to destroy.

Alexander Herzen