Wilhelm Liebknecht

Socialism without democracy is pseudo-socialism, just as democracy without socialism is pseudo-democracy.

— Wilhelm Liebknecht

For our party and for our party tactics there is but one valid basis: the basis of the class struggle, out of which the Social Democratic party has sprung up, and out of which alone it can draw the necessary strength to bid defiance to every storm and to all its enemies.

— Wilhelm Liebknecht

The importance of a seat in the Prussian legislature was not overlooked by anyone. But it was looked upon as more important that the representatives of the party should depend exclusively upon the strength of the party, and not upon an alliance with parties which might have momentarily a common interest with us, but which in their political make-up are hostile to us and will remain permanently hostile.

— Wilhelm Liebknecht

It would be an unparalleled case of flying the track and going astray if the German Social Democracy, which has had such wonderful success and such a wonderful growth for the very reason that it has marched ahead unterrified on the basis of the class struggle, should suddenly face about and plunge into mistakes, the avoidance of which has been the power and pride of our party, and has put the German Social Democracy at the head of the international social democracy of all countries.

— Wilhelm Liebknecht

The highest triumph of Bismarckian politics carried its downfall and bankruptcy within it.

— Wilhelm Liebknecht

It was not possible by any allurements to take from the workingmen the recognition of the inseparability of socialism from democracy and of democracy from socialism.

— Wilhelm Liebknecht

We recognize no infallible Pope, not even a literary one.

— Wilhelm Liebknecht

The establishment, elaboration and clarifying of our program we leave to science, which in our present society is the business of only a few. But the practical application of our program, and the tactics of the party are the business of all; here all work together.

— Wilhelm Liebknecht

This is not an end, but only a means to an end.

— Wilhelm Liebknecht

We may not do as other parties, because we are not like the others. We are – and this cannot be too often repeated – separated from all other parties by an insurmountable barrier, a barrier that any individual can easily surmount; but once on the other side of it, and he is no Social Democrat. We are different from the others; “we are other than the others.” What for the others are necessities and conditions of life are death to us.

— Wilhelm Liebknecht

The social democracy of Germany must fulfill the role of champions of political freedom. The task of uniting the struggle for economic independence with that for political liberty has fallen upon the German laboring class.

— Wilhelm Liebknecht

Distrust was counted as a democratic virtue, and over-confidence as a democratic vice.

— Wilhelm Liebknecht

The proletariat stands politically as well as socially in the most abrupt contradiction to the present class state. It must fight it on all fields and upon every question, both of domestic and of foreign policy.

— Wilhelm Liebknecht

The class struggle tactics is not only more correct in principle; it is also more practical and successful than compromise tactics.

— Wilhelm Liebknecht

The purity of our principles, the idealism of our struggle, these are factors of strengthening and drawing power that have given to us courage for all our battles, and have given to our doctrines an irresistible attraction for all who feel themselves oppressed and have a sense of honor.

— Wilhelm Liebknecht

We dare not do all that our opponents do. We dare not sacrifice everything for advantages. For what is an advantage to our opponents is deadly poison to us. The nobility say of themselves, ; so we may say, socialisme oblige, socialism imposes its obligations.

— Wilhelm Liebknecht

In these days, under the rule of capitalism, a government, even if it is full of philanthropy and animated by the best of intentions, can do nothing of real value to our cause. One must keep free from illusions.

— Wilhelm Liebknecht

If the way to hell is paved with good intentions, the way to defeat is paved with illusions.

— Wilhelm Liebknecht

On the ground of the class struggle we are invincible; if we leave it we are lost, because we are no longer socialists. The strength and power of socialism rests in the fact that we are leading a class struggle; that the laboring class is exploited and oppressed by the capitalist class, and that within capitalist society effectual reforms, which will put an end to class government and class exploitation, are impossible.

— Wilhelm Liebknecht

We cannot traffic in our principles, we can make no compromise, no agreement with the ruling system. We must break with the ruling system and fight it to a finish. It must fall that socialism may arise, and we certainly cannot expect from the ruling class that it will give to itself and its domination the death blow.

— Wilhelm Liebknecht

Undoubtedly there are bourgeois who from a feeling of justice and humanity place themselves upon the side of the laborers and socialists, but these are only the exceptions; the mass of the bourgeoisie has , a consciousness of being the ruling and exploiting class. Indeed, the mass of the bourgeoisie, just because they are a ruling class, have a much sharper and stronger class consciousness than the proletariat.

— Wilhelm Liebknecht

Long live international socialism!

— Wilhelm Liebknecht

Social Democracy must remain for itself, must seek for and generate its power within itself. Every power outside of ourselves on which we seek to lean is for us only weakness. In the consciousness of our strength, in our faith in the world-conquering mission of socialism lies the secret of our extraordinary, almost miraculous success.

— Wilhelm Liebknecht

Socialism cannot conquer nor redeem the world if it ceases to believe upon itself alone.

— Wilhelm Liebknecht

We will not turn from the old tactics, nor from the old program. Ever advancing with science and economic development, we are what we were and we will remain what we are. Or – the Social Democracy will cease to exist.

— Wilhelm Liebknecht