James Connolly Quotes
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Without the power of the Industrial Union behind it, Democracy can only enter the State as the victim enters the gullet of the Serpent.
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The cause of labour is the cause of Ireland, the cause of Ireland is the cause of labour.
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A revolution will only be achieved when the ordinary people of the world, us, the working class, get up off our knees and take back what is rightfully ours.
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There can be no perfect Europe in which Ireland is denied even the least of its national rights.
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Just as it is true that a stream cannot rise above its source, so it is true that a national literature cannot rise above the moral level of the social conditions of the people from whom it derives its inspiration.
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We believe in constitutional action in normal times; we believe in revolutionary action in exceptional times. These are exceptional times.
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Our demands most moderate are, we only want the earth.
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When questions of 'class' interests are eliminated from public controversy a victory is thereby gained for the possessing, conservative class, whose only hope of security lies in such elimination.
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If you strike at, imprison, or kill us, out of our prisons or graves we will still evoke a spirit that will thwart you, and perhaps, raise a force that will destroy you! We defy you! Do your worst!
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Governments in capitalist society are but committees of the rich to manage the affairs of the capitalist class.
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Men perish but principles live.
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The worker is the slave of capitalist society, the female worker is the slave of that slave.
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Though I have usually posed as a Catholic, I have not done my duty for 15 years, and have not the slightest tincture of faith left…
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The fight in Ireland has been one for the soul of a race – that Irish race which with seven centuries of defeat behind it still battled for the sanctity of its dwelling place.
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partition of Ireland, ... the betrayal of the national democracy of Industrial Ulster, would mean a carnival of reaction both North and South, would set back the wheels of progress, would destroy the oncoming unity of the Irish labour movement and paralyse all advanced movements while it lasted.
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'Those who live by the sword shall perish by the sword' say the Scriptures, and it may well be that in the progress of events the working class of Ireland may be called upon to face the stern necessity of taking the sword (or rifle) against the capitalist class.
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Under a socialist system every nation will be the supreme arbiter of its own destinies, national and international; will be forced into no alliance against its will, but will have its independence guaranteed and its freedom respected by the enlightened self-interest of the socialist democracy of the world.