Anarchist Quotes
Anarchist Quotes

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Authors List


George Woodcock

About the author

George Woodcock: Esteemed Anarchist Intellectual

George Woodcock was born on May 8, 1912, in Canada. His work as an anarchist historian and writer led to significant contributions to the understanding and propagation of anarchist philosophy. He was prolific throughout his lifetime, having produced more than 100 books, including 'Anarchism: A History of Libertarian Ideas and Movements' which is regarded as one of his most significant works.

Woodcock passed away on January 28, 1995. However, his influence continues to resonate within the realm of anarchist theory. His ideas, deeply rooted in pacifism, challenged the stereotype of anarchists as violent revolutionaries. He emphasised that anarchism could be a peaceful and constructive force opposing authoritarian tendencies. His work provided valuable historical context and intellectual foundation for anarchist theory and continues to inspire students and scholars of anarchism of our time.


Date of Birth: 1912-05-08

Date of Death: 1995-01-28

Country of Birth: Canada

Political Ideas: Anarchism, Pacifism

Quotes Available: 7



Quotes by George Woodcock

Anarchism, nihilism, and terrorism are often mistakenly equated, and in most dictionaries will be found at least two definitions of the anarchist. One presents him as a man who believes that government must die before freedom can live. The other dismisses him as a mere promoter of disorder who offers nothing in place of the order he destroys.
George Woodcock

Canadian writer and anarchist historian
"Whoever denies authority and fights against it is an anarchist," said Sebastien Faure. The definition is tempting in its simplicity, but simplicity is the first thing to guard against in writing a history of anarchism.
George Woodcock

Canadian writer and anarchist historian
Like such titles as Christian and Quaker, "anarchist" was in the end proudly adopted by one of those against whom it had been used in condemnation.
George Woodcock

Canadian writer and anarchist historian
Either it is true that humanity by intelligence and by the practice of mutual aid and direct action can reverse processes which appear socially inevitable, or humanity will become extinct by simple maladaptation.
George Woodcock

Canadian writer and anarchist historian
The main difference between the anarchists and the socialists, including the Marxists, lies in the fact that while the socialists maintain that the state must be taken over as the first step toward its dissolution, the anarchists argue that, since power corrupts, any seizure of the existing structure of authority can only lead to its perpetuation.
George Woodcock

Canadian writer and anarchist historian
The domination of man by the creation of man is even more ridiculous than the domination of man by man.
George Woodcock

Canadian writer and anarchist historian
The old motives of profit and self-interest will cease to dominate economic life. Instead the incentive will be the good of the members of society, without distinction.
George Woodcock

Canadian writer and anarchist historian


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Peter Kropotkin (1842-1921)
Disobedience - the fountain of liberty (Henry David Thoreau)

The only church that illuminates is a burning church (Buenaventura Durruti)
Bakunin Nadar - If there is a state, then there is domination, and in turn, there is slavery

The seal of the territory of Ukraine (Nestor Makhno)
Bakunin

Anarchist Black Army (Makhnovtchina)
The state calls its own violence law, but that of the individual crime (Max Stirner)

War is peace, freedom is slavery, ignorance is strength (George Orwell, 1984)
Kropotkin

Nestor Makhno
Kropotkin Mutual Aid

Freedom without socialism is privilege, injustice. Socialism without freedom is slavery, brutality. (Mikhail Bakunin)
The existence of the poor, was the first cause of the riches (Peter Kropotkin)

Peter Kropotkin - Where there is authority, there is no freedom.
Freedom without socialism is privilege, injustice - socialism without freedom is slavery, brutality (Mikhail Bakunin)