372 Quotes by Emma Goldman

I discovered that those who want their property to be respected, have an interest in preaching the existence of paradise and hell, and in keeping the people in ignorance.

True, the movement for women’s rights has broken many old fetters, but it has also forged new ones.

If society were only relieved of the waste and expense of keeping a lazy class, and the equally great expense of the paraphernalia of protection this lazy class requires, the social tables would contain an abundance for all, including even the occasional lazy individual.

A true conception of the relation of the sexes will not admit of conqueror and conquered; it knows of but one great thing; to give of one’s self boundlessly, in order to find one’s self richer, deeper, better.

There are, however, some potentates I would kill by any and all means at my disposal. They are Ignorance, Superstition, and Bigotry – the most sinister and tyrannical rulers on earth.

The State requires a taxpaying machine in which there is no hitch, an exchequer in which there is never a deficit, and a public, monotonous, obedient, colorless, spiritless, moving humbly like a flock of sheep along a straight high road between two walls.

No great idea in its beginning can ever be within the law. How can it be within the law?

The guilt of these homicides lies upon every man and woman who, intentionally or by cold indifference, helps to keep up social conditions that drive human beings to despair.

Poor America, of what avail is all her wealth, if the individuals comprising the nation are wretchedly poor?