James Connolly Quotes

The revolutionary war is a war of the masses; it can be waged only by mobilizing the masses and relying on them. Revolution is the proper occupation of the masses.

We have not made the Revolution, the Revolution has made us.

All revolutions are violent revolutions.

“Order prevails in Berlin!” You foolish lackeys! Your “order” is built on sand. Tomorrow the revolution will “rise up again, clashing its weapons,” and to your horror it will proclaim with trumpets blazing: I was, I am, I shall be!

Revolution is the duty of the worker and the peasant masses and not of just a few heroes, hence the necessity to organize these masses and draw them into the struggle.

Comrades, the revolution is on.

There are revolutionary committees that practice revolutionary violence, and anyone who opposes the will of the people will have to be chased. Anyone who is opposed to the will of the people becomes a foe of the people. The duty of the revolutionary committee is to practice revolutionary violence against the enemies of the revolution.

It is repression that creates the revolutionary spirit of freedom.

Proletarian literature and art are part of the whole proletarian revolutionary cause; they are, as Lenin said, cogs and wheels in the whole revolutionary machine.

Revolutions come in two stages: the bit where everything gets smashed and the bit where you have to build it again. The first is great fun; the second is so very hard.

You should not do this, Comrade. We are only in the introductory stage yet, here in Western Europe. And in that stage it is better to encourage the fighters than the rulers.

I was born in revolution.

The masses are the decisive element, they are the rock on which the final victory of the revolution will be built.

A revolution is impossible without a revolutionary situation; furthermore, not every revolutionary situation leads to revolution.

We tried many times before to speed on the social revolution in Spain; attempted to stir up the feelings of the people and to raise the banner of Libertarian Communism.

Revolution is born as a social entity within the oppressor society.

In most revolutions, where events are drawn out, particularly after the initial flush of victory, the masses can feel the gains of the revolution slipping from their hands. The advanced sections of the proletariat, realizing the dangerous situation, begin to become impatient and attempt to recapture the initiative

The [American] Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people.

Tyranny may precipitate a revolutionary movement at any time.

Revolution is not a dinner party, not an essay, nor a painting, nor a piece of embroidery; it cannot be advanced softly, gradually, carefully, considerately, respectfully, politely, plainly and modestly.

A revolutionary is not the revolution.

People and poets are marching together. Art is henceforth on a popular footing in the arena with the masses.

There is no example in history of a revolutionary movement involving such gigantic masses being so bloodless.

The generation which commences a revolution can rarely complete it

We regret any country falling off from the cause of withstanding the principles and conduct of those who tyrannize France [the French revolutionists]. The little vigor shown by the Dutch from the beginning of the contest makes their secession of but little real loss.