“A government, even had it no other disadvantages, must always have that of habituating the governed to subjection, and must also tend to become more oppressive and necessary in proportion as its subjects are more obedient and docile.”
–Errico Malatest, Anarchy
“He who throws a bomb and kills a pedestrian, declares that as a victim of society he has rebelled against society. But could not the poor victim object: ‘Am I society?'”
–Errico Malatesta, diary entry 7/21/32
* * *
Quoted in The Heretic’s Handbook of Quotations
Here’s one I translated about 30 years ago. It’s by the great Italian anarchist Luigi Fabbri, and unfortunately is still relevant. Thanks to our friends at LibCom for making it available.
English: Errico Malatesta (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
“The capitalist is a thief who has succeeded through his efforts or those of his ancestors; the common thief is a would-be capitalist, who is simply waiting to become one in fact, to live, without working, on the proceeds of his hauls, that is, on the work of others.”
—Errico Malatesta, Il Pensiero, March 16, 1911
* * *
Quoted in The Heretic’s Handbook of Quotations
Sharp and Pointed 