It is impossible to predict the time and progress of revolution. It is governed by its own more or less mysterious laws.
Vladimir LeninRead
Capitalists are no more capable of self-sacrifice than a man is capable of lifting himself up by his own bootstraps.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote critiques capitalism by suggesting that capitalists are inherently self-serving and incapable of genuine altruism.
Vladimir Lenin's quote highlights the fundamental nature of capitalists, arguing that they are unlikely to engage in self-sacrifice or altruism because their interests are primarily self-centered. The analogy of lifting oneself by one's own bootstraps illustrates the impracticality of expecting an individual or class that benefits from a system to instigate change from within without imposing sacrifice or effort that contradicts their interests.
Themes
CapitalismSelf-SacrificeAltruismPhilosophySociety
In practice
Example use cases
Discussing economic inequality during a social justice seminar.
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We are not utopians, we do not βdreamβ 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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