Edgar Wallace Robinson Quote

“In 1883, a small group of Socialists met in London, announcing their intentions of converting the British economic system from capitalism to socialism. This group chose the name 'Fabian Society.' One of the leading members of the Fabian Society, author George Bernard Shaw, perhaps summed it up best when he said, quote: '... Socialism means equality of income or nothing... under socialism you would not be allowed to be poor. You would be forcibly fed, clothed, lodged, taught, and employed whether you like it or not. If it were discovered that you had not character enough to be worth all this trouble, you might possibly be executed in a kindly manner; but whilst you were permitted to live you would have to live well.' ”

~ Edgar Wallace Robinson

in his 1980 booklet titled "Rolling Thunder" 

Ratings and Comments


Logan, Memphis, TN

Ah, the ultimate manifestation of the compelled compliance as produced by the absolute will of the majority. 5 stars for accuracy.

jim k, austin,tx

I'd sure rather be executed in a kindly manner than an unkindly one. Perhaps they would smile when they shot you.

J Carlton, Calgary

In other words, A prisoner of the system who's life is "granted" by the state. Disgusting. This is what must be fought at every turn.

Anonymous
  • 1
  • Reply
    Anonymous    4/1/08

    Interesting.

    Mike, Norwalk

    With Logan, 5 stars for accuracy.

    E Archer, NYC

    Thumbs down for the Fabian Society which thrives to this day. Thumbs up for accuracy.

    Anonymous, Reston, VA US

    This isn't Robinson's quote, it is nothing more than a Shaw quote... and thus does not deserve to be here or rated.

    Waffler, Smith, Arkansas

    Has got to be a middle ground between living like he describes or living like mice and rats as many are depicted in the literature of industrial England by Charles Dickens.

    Ronw13, Oregon

    Good question Waffler. Considering Shaw's stance on the use of negative and positive eugenics, practice within the USA by democratic socialist entrenchment within both parties and positive eugenics, incentives for welfare mothers to reproduce, brought about a voter base, needed by nationalist socialist politicians to stay in power. Now we see negative eugenics practiced by incentives, coercion and compulsion wishing to cull undesirable, dumb down citizens and/or minorities. The middle ground you seek is represented by our Declaration and Constitution of the United States of America. That which you oppose is the salvation from the tyrannical designs of the Fabian socialist within the democratic socialist labor party of today. The dumb down youth of today which embrace democracy must realize, it is their undoing and destruction. Five stars for accuracy !

    cal, Lewisville, Texas

    The "Fabian society" would work great in a bee hive.

    Warren, olathe

    Socialism would leave everyone poor except the people in charge.
    Of course poor and rich are relative. Under socialism there would be no productivity. No one out of power would have much of anything unless they dealt in the black market.

    Joe, Manchester

    Socialism is not an economic system. It is a system of government with the central ideology of the distribution of the proceeds from a (capitalist) economic system in (what its proponents would agrue) is a fairer way recognising the symbiotic relationship/dependency beteween worker and owner capitalist and the necessity of maintaining a social infrastructure for the benefit of all. 'From each according to their ability, to each according to their needs' recognises that not all can contribute equally and consistantly and therefore the agrument that socialism means equal pay or nothing is nonsense.

    Mary - MI
    • Reply
      Mary - MI    9/28/16

      Is anyone an admirer of the late playwright and author George Bernard Shaw? You had better think that admiration over!

      Mary - MI
      • Reply
      Mary - MI    9/28/16

      "Fabian Society, socialist society founded in 1884 in London, having as its goal the establishment of a democratic socialist state in Great Britain. The Fabians put their faith in evolutionary socialism rather than in revolution.

      The name of the society is derived from the Roman general Fabius Cunctator, whose patient and elusive tactics in avoiding pitched battles secured his ultimate victory over stronger forces. Its founding is attributed to Thomas Davidson, a Scottish philosopher, and its early members included George Bernard Shaw, Sidney Webb, Annie Besant, Edward Pease, and Graham Wallas. Shaw and Webb, later joined by Webb’s wife, Beatrice, were the outstanding leaders of the society for many years. In 1889 the society published its best-known tract, Fabian Essays in Socialism, edited by Shaw. It was followed in 1952 by New Fabian Essays, edited by Richard H.S. Crossman.

      The Fabians at first attempted to permeate the Liberal and Conservative parties with socialist ideas, but later they helped to organize the separate Labour Representation Committee, which became the Labour Party in 1906. The Fabian Society has since been affiliated with the Labour Party.

      -- The principal activities of the society consist in the furtherance of its goal of socialism through the education of the public along socialist lines by means of meetings, lectures, discussion groups, conferences, and summer schools; carrying out research into political, economic, and social problems; and publishing books, pamphlets, and periodicals. In 1931 the New Fabian Research Bureau was established as an independent body. The bureau and the society amalgamated in 1938 to form a new and revitalized Fabian Society. In 1940 the Colonial Bureau of the Fabian Society was established, and it produced a continuous stream of discussion and writing on colonial questions. The Fabian International Bureau was started in 1941 to cater to the growing concern of Fabians with foreign policy and the great issues of war and peace."
      https://www.britannica.com/topic/Fabian-Society

      Mary - MI
      • Reply
        Mary - MI    9/28/16

        "The Fabian Society originated in England in 1884, with the purpose of forming a single, global socialist state. They get their name from the Roman general Fabius, who used carefully planned strategies to slowly wear down his enemies over a long period of time to obtain victory."
        The Fabian Society Exposed .....
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fc-OxtJYJ9g
        Uploaded on May 14, 2011

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