Voltairine de CleyreVoltairine de Cleyre, (1866-1912) American anarchist, writer, speaker, feminist

Voltairine de Cleyre Quote

“...So long as the people do not care to exercise their freedom, those who wish to tyrannize will do so; for tyrants are active and ardent, and will devote themselves in the name of any number of gods, religious and otherwise, to put shackles upon sleeping men.”

Voltairine de CleyreVoltairine de Cleyre
~ Voltairine de Cleyre

Anarchism & American Traditions in Mother Earth (December 1908/January 1909)

Ratings and Comments


David L. Rosenthal, Hollywood

Today they don't wait for you to fall asleep.

A HREF="http://www.myegotimes.com/" title="  " target="_tab", Vancouver, GVRD(Paine Cnty), Coastal Lwr Mainland BC(State of Neo Sumer), U.S. of Eh!

This is why evil regns so easily in America and beyond because english colonial janapse twits like GW Bush Jr. think Ideas cast system and Ft. Meade represent freedom when they are nothing but thugs crushing the souls of the free with every option they get. The Patriot Act, indeed, if it is English Empire Patriotism. -- GZLFB, Down with N.A.G.

Anonymous
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Anonymous    3/3/06

There's nothing like an allegiance to a deity to announce your submission and willingness to submit. Gimme summa dat whip honey!

Terry Berg, Occidental, CA

Human nature isn't naturally inclined towards freedom. It's inclined to look for a leader who promises (no delivery necessary) to keep them safe and fed.

Andy, Portland, OR

Exactly!

Anonymous
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Anonymous    3/22/06

Freedom is safety and food on the table, it is the only way to guarantee it.

Mike, Norwalk

David, I like it a lot - how true, how true ! 2nd Anonymous above, I like yours also; by way of observation, the patrons of atheistic socialism's divinity, with their willfully genuflecting submission to statist ownership of all, compelled compliance, license, victimless crimes, larceny with impunity (life, property, income taxes, etc. funny money etc., differing degrees of slavery, etc.), non-recognition of the individual's inalienable sovereign rights and all else that any number of carnal gods would shackle a once free We The People with.

Mike, Pleasant Hill

Excellent Mike.

Pedro Borrero, Yauco, P.R.

Simple, the truth.

Robert, St. Emilion, France

most who are awake are sleeping......

E Archer, NYC

Indeed!! @Terry, human nature may not appear to be inclined to freedom, but just see what happens when you try and cage a wild man. I would say that human nature is inclined towards power -- the responsibility of which will determine if he will command the power or the power will command him. As long as the slave does not know he is a slave and is conditioned to want his servitude, he will not try and break out of the cage, on the contrary he will cling to it for dear life. Slavery is a mental condition, and only the truth and a willingness to take responsibility for oneself is required to reveal the bondage, then the trick is getting out!

E Archer, NYC
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E Archer, NYC E Archer, NYC 4/25/22

"Slavery is a mental condition, and only the truth and a willingness to take responsibility for oneself is required to reveal the bondage, then the trick is getting out!"

Indeed!

Ronw13, OR
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Ronw13, OR    3/11/19

Tyrants thrive on any religious practice that condones servitude by force for acceptance. It is about money and/or substance. 

e
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    e    7/24/19

    i need help understanding this quote 

    E Archer, NYC
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    E Archer, NYC e 8/1/19

    It means "use it or lose it."  ;-)

    Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown

    The gentlemen devotes himself to science, art and justice.

    @

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