Anarchist Quotes
Anarchist Quotes

Authors List
Authors List


Jean Grave

Jean Grave and the Anarcho-Communist Movement

Jean Grave was born on 16 October 1854 in Le Breuil-sur-Couze, a commune in France. He was a pivotal figure in the French anarchist movement and a leading advocate of anarcho-communism. Grave was a prolific writer and editor, penning several pivotal works and editing the leading anarchist papers of his time, 'Le Révolté' and 'La Révolte'.

In his writings, Grave encouraged popular resistance and nurtured the growth of anarcho-communism, with his works influencing generations of French anarchists. Notably, his books 'Moribund Society and Anarchy' and 'The Society of To-morrow' meticulously layed out the principles of anarcho-communism and propelled the anarchist movement in its push for the abolition of both the state and capitalism. He continued to promote these ideas until his death on 8 December 1939. Grave's contributions significantly shaped French anarchism and furthered the global reach of the anarchist movement.


Date of Birth: 16 October 1854

Date of Death: 8 December 1939

Country of Birth: France

Political Ideas: Anarcho-communism, Anti-militarism

Quotes Available: 7



Quotes by Jean Grave

If you wish to remain men, do not be soldiers; if you cannot stand humiliations do not don the uniform. If, however, you have already committed the imprudence of clothing yourselves therewith, and some day you find yourselves in the situation of being unable to control your indignation, then neither insult nor strike your superiors; LET DAYLIGHT THROUGH THEM! You will pay no more for it.
The most complete freedom for the individual, his right to full satisfaction of all his needs, are absolutely legitimate claims, and there was no need to go out to dig up Nietszche and Stirner to give them some consecration.
The man who would completely isolate himself from his fellow men, would return to the state of a brute animal, if the better armed species had not killed him before.
As man grows refined, he comes also to live not only for himself and in himself.
As you have undertaken to destroy these races, not inferior, but merely latecomer, you tend in like manner to destroy the working class, which you also qualify as inferior.
Those who would like to see society transformed without shocks must make up their minds to surrender the hope; it is impossible. Ideas in the course of evolving lead to revolution.
But though egoism or altruism, separately, each pushed to its extreme, is pernicious to the individual and society, united they are resolved into a third term, which is the law of future societies. This law is solidarity.


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