A person has only to turn away from trying to solve external questions and ask himself a single inner question that is truly essential to a human being—what is the best way to lead my life?—for all external questions to be resolved in the best way possible.
We do not and cannot know what the common good consists in, but we firmly know that the attainment of this common good is only possible if everyone, including me, fulfills the law of goodness, which is revealed to every human being.
True life does not take place where great external changes are happening, where people are moving around, colliding, fighting and killing each other, it takes place only where the changes that are happening are so small that they are imperceptible: within people’s spiritual consciousness.
Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.
— Luke 10:41–42
The nations of the earth are quivering and trembling. Everywhere one senses forces at work, seemingly preparing an earthquake. Never before did the human being bear such an enormous responsibility. Every moment brings with it ever more important worries. One feels that something great is going to happen. But before the coming of Christ the world was waiting for great events, and yet it did not accept him when he came. Likewise, the world now feels the labor pains before the new coming, and yet it still does not understand what is taking place.
— Lucy Mallory
There are two types of socialism. Both of them pursue the greatest welfare for all.
One strives to achieve universal happiness; the other to give everyone the opportunity to be happy in their own way.
One recognizes the authority of the state; the other recognizes no authority.
One demands monopoly for the state; the other wants to destroy all monopolies.
One wants the ruled to become the rulers; the other seeks the destruction of classes.
One believes in a social war; the other believes only in the work of peace.
There are only these two socialisms. One is growing up; the other has matured. One is the past; the other is the future. One must make room for the other. And every one of us must choose between these two socialisms or to not recognize oneself as a socialist at all.
— Ernest Lesin
“When 1 person among 100 rules over 99, it is unjust, it is despotism; it is also unjust when 10 rule over 90, it is oligarchy; however, when 51 rule over 49 (and that is only in one’s imagination—in reality it is again 10 or 11 out of these 51), then it is completely just, it is freedom!”
Can there be anything more ridiculous in its blatant absurdity than this reasoning? And meanwhile, this very reasoning acts as a foundation for the actions of all those who seek to improve the organization of the state.
It is difficult to discern the voice of truth among the cries of excited parties.
— Schiller
The one who wants to serve truth and justice must be ready to stand alone.
— Bersier
No philosopher’s stone of a constitution can produce golden conduct from leaden instincts.
— Herbert Spencer
If, instead of wanting to save the world, people were to begin wanting to save themselves, and, instead of trying to liberate humanity, were to begin freeing themselves—how much would they achieve for the salvation of the world and the liberation of humanity!
— Herzen
The more people believe that something external, something that acts by itself, beyond their will, can change and improve their lives, the more difficult this change and improvement becomes.
