When, in the course of human development, existing institutions prove inadequate to the needs of man, when they serve merely to enslave, rob, and oppress mankind, the people have the eternal right to rebel against, and overthrow, these institutions. The mere fact that these forces — inimical to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness — are legalized by statute laws, sanctified by divine rights, and enforced by political power, in no way justifies their continued existence. We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all human beings, irrespective of race, color, or sex, are born...
Emma Goldman
Anarchism: What It Really Stands For
ANARCHY Ever reviled, accursed, ne'er understood, Thou art the grisly terror of our age. "Wreck of all order," cry the multitude, "Art thou, and war and murder's endless rage." O, let them cry. To them that ne'er have striven The truth that lies behind a word to find, To them the word's right meaning was not given. They shall continue blind among the blind. But thou, O word, so clear, so strong, so pure, Thou sayest all which I for goal have taken. I give thee to the future! Thine secure When each at least unto himself shall waken. Comes it in sunshine? In the tempest's thrill? I cannot...
The Anti-Political Nietzsche
Friedrich Nietzsche is a notable German philosopher, popular for his concept of "the will to power" as well as "overman" (sometimes translated as "superman"). Contrary to some people's beliefs, Nietzsche was not a nihilist and the overman was his answer to how we could still provide meaning in a godless world. And with regard to his books, his philosophical novel Thus Spoke Zarathustra is especially popular. Nietzsche wrote much in his life and on many subjects, often reducing his opponents ideas to more concise and charitable (not to mention aesthetically pleasing) forms than the...