Communism is inequality, but not as property is. Property is exploitation of the weak by the strong. Communism is exploitation of the strong by the weak.
Interpretation
Proudhon discusses the nature of inequality in both communism and property, suggesting both have exploitative elements.
In this quote, Proudhon contrasts the concepts of communism and property, arguing that both systems create inequalities but in different ways. Property leads to the exploitation of the weak by the strong, while communism permits the strong to be exploited by the weak, thus highlighting a cyclical pattern of exploitation inherent in both ideologies.
In practice
In a debate about economic systems, one could use this quote to illustrate the complexities of inequality.
I build no system. I ask an end to privilege, the abolition of slavery, equality of rights, and the reign of law. Justice, nothing else; that is the alpha and omega of my argument: to others I leave the business of governing the world.
All men in their hearts, I say, bear witness to these truths; they need only to be made to understand it.
A common danger tends to concord. Communism is the exploitation of the strong by the weak. In Communism, inequality comes from placing mediocrity on a level with excellence.
To name a thing is easy: the difficulty is to discern it before its appearance.
As man seeks justice in equality, so society seeks order in anarchy.
The possessions of the rich are stolen property.
I suppose that every one of us hopes secretly for immortality; to leave, I mean, a name behind him which will live forever in this world, whatever he may be doing, himself, in the next.
Obscenity only comes in when the mind despises and fears the body, and the body hates and resists the mind.
The world is beautiful, but has a disease called man.
Like the bee gathering honey from the different flowers, the wise person _x000D_ accepts the essence of the different scriptures and sees only the good in all religions.
Groups become more extreme and entrenched in their beliefs and polarized from others when members only exchange information that reinforces their views and filter out all else or never learn of alternatives. Thus they narrow their options, and magnify each other's prejudices and misconceptions. This trend leads to blind spots in decision making and to extreme behavior, even terrorism.
Take your Bible and take your newspaper, and read both. But interpret newspapers from your Bible.
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