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James Connolly Quotes
1868–1916 Ireland
James Connolly (Irish: Séamas Ó Conghaile or Ó Conghalaigh, June 5, 1868 – May 12, 1916) was an Irish republican and socialist leader, aligned to syndicalism and the Industrial Workers of the World. He was born in the Cowgate area of Edinburgh, Scotland, to Irish immigrant parents.
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Governments in capitalist society are but committees of the rich to manage the affairs of the capitalist class.
The worker is the slave of capitalist society, the female worker is the slave of that slave.
Our demands most moderate are: we only want the earth.
Be Moderate (1907)
The cause of labour is the cause of Ireland, the cause of Ireland is the cause of labour.
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.
Labour in Irish History (1919)
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.
We believe in constitutional action in normal times; we believe in revolutionary action in exceptional times. These are exceptional times.
Men perish but principles live.
'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.
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…
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.
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.
Misattributed
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