Freedom is always the freedom of dissenters.

The working classes in every country only learn to fight in the course of their struggles.

Only to the rude ear of one who is quite indifferent does the song of a bird seem always the same.

Freedom for supporters of the government only, for members of one party only no matter how big its membership may be is no freedom at all. Freedom is always freedom for the man who thinks differently.

Without general elections, without freedom of the press, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, without the free battle of opinions, life in every public institution withers away, becomes a caricature of itself, and bureaucracy rises as the only deciding factor.

The victory of socialism will not descend like fate from heaven.

Self-criticism, cruel, unsparing criticism that goes to the very root of the evil, is life and breath for the proletarian movement.