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Pierre-Joseph Proudhon

Pierre-Joseph Proudhon Quotes

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Pierre-Joseph Proudhon (1809-1865) was a French political philosopher, writer, and considered the father of modern anarchism. In 1840, he published "What is Property?" where he famously declared "property is theft," which profoundly influenced socialist and anarchist thought. Proudhon advocated mutualism, opposed capitalist exploitation and state authority, and significantly influenced thinkers like Karl Marx and Mikhail Bakunin. His works including "The Philosophy of Poverty" remain important texts in political philosophy and social theory.

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Famous Pierre-Joseph Proudhon Quotes

“Communism--the first expression of the social nature--is the first term of social development--the thesis; property, the reverse of communism, is the second term--the antithesis. When we have discovered the third term, the synthesis, we shall have the required solution.”

Firsts Social Term Expression Development Solutions Thirds Property Communism Reverse Social Development Thesis Synthesis Antithesis

Book:Property is Theft!: A Pierre-Joseph Proudhon Anthology

Source: Property is Theft!: A Pierre-Joseph Proudhon Anthology

“Communism is exploitation of the strong by the weak.”

Strong Weak Communism Mediocrity Exploitation

Book:Property is Theft!: A Pierre-Joseph Proudhon Anthology

Source: Property is Theft!: A Pierre-Joseph Proudhon Anthology

“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.”

Strong Levels Common Danger Weak Excellence Equality Inequality Communism Mediocrity Exploitation

Author:Pierre-Joseph Proudhon

“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.”

Strong Weak Property Inequality Communism Exploitation

Book:Property is Theft!: A Pierre-Joseph Proudhon Anthology

Source: Property is Theft!: A Pierre-Joseph Proudhon Anthology

“Communism is a society where each one works according to his abilities and gets according to his needs.”

Needs Ability Communism

Author:Pierre-Joseph Proudhon

About the Author

Born: January 15, 1809
Died: January 19, 1865
Known for: Author
Quotes: 64

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Property Order Anarchism Anarchy Government Law Liberty Social Communism Justice Men Weak Authority Development Hands Political Process Philosophy Revolution Absolutism Anarchist

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Books & Sources

Property is Theft!: A Pierre-Joseph Proudhon AnthologyRelated source material

What is Property?Related source material

The Philosophy of ProgressRelated source material

General Idea of the Revolution in the Nineteenth CenturyRelated source material

System of Economical Contradictions: Or, The Philosophy of MiseryRelated source material

The Philosophy of MiseryRelated source material

Théorie de la propriétéRelated source material

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