The Soul of Man under Socialism

As for begging, it is safer to beg than to take, but it is finer to take than to beg.

He is at any rate a healthy protest. As for the virtuous poor, one can pity them, of course, but one cannot possibly admire them.

It is immoral to use private property in order to alleviate the horrible evils that result from the institution of private property.

Sometimes the poor are praised for being thrifty.

Charity creates a multitude of sins.

Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live. And unselfishness is letting other people’s lives alone, not interfering with them. Selfishness always aims at creating around it an absolute uniformity of type. Unselfishness recognises infinite variety of type as a delightful thing, accepts it, acquiesces in it, enjoys it. It is not selfish to think for oneself. A man who does not think for himself does not think at all. It is grossly selfish to require of ones neighbour that he should think in the same way, and hold the same opinions.

When the wrong, and the disease, and the injustice are removed, it will have no further place.

Upon the other hand, the terrible truth that pain is a mode through which man may realise himself exercises a wonderful fascination over the world.

There are three kinds of despots. There is the despot who tyrannises over the body. There is the despot who tyrannises over the soul. There is the despot who tyrannises over the soul and body alike. The first is called the Prince. The second is called the Pope. The third is called the People.

In fact, the popular novel that the public calls healthy is always a thoroughly unhealthy production; and what the public call an unhealthy novel is always a beautiful and healthy work of art.