It is impossible to predict the time and progress of revolution. It is governed by its own more or less mysterious laws.
Vladimir LeninRead
America has become one of the foremost countries in regard to the depth of the abyss which lies between the handful of arrogant multimillionaires who wallow in filth and luxury, and the millions of working people who constantly live on the verge of pauperism.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the extreme wealth inequality in America and its impact on society.
Vladimir Lenin's quote draws attention to the stark divide between the wealthy elite and the struggling working population in America. He emphasizes how a small number of multimillionaires live in opulence, while the majority of the population faces dire economic challenges, teetering on the edge of poverty. This reflection serves as a critique of capitalism and the social injustices that arise from such economic disparities.
Themes
WealthInequalityPovertyEconomic DisparitySocial JusticeCapitalism
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about economic reform, one might reference this quote to highlight the urgency of addressing wealth inequality.
More from Vladimir Lenin
All quotes →For the complete extinction of the state, complete Communism is necessary.
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A democracy is a state which recognizes the subjection of the minority to the majority, that is, an organization for the systematic use of violence by one class against the other, by one part of the population against another.
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We are not utopians, we do not “dream” of dispensing at once with all administration, with all subordination. These anarchist dreams, based upon incomprehension of the tasks of the proletarian dictatorship, are totally alien to Marxism, and, as a matter of fact, serve only to postpone the socialist revolution until people are different. No, we want the socialist revolution with people as they are now, with people who cannot dispense with subordination, control, and "foremen and accountants".
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The way to crush the bourgeoisie is to grind them between the millstones of taxation and inflation.
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