James Connolly

The worker is the slave of capitalist society, the female worker is the slave of that slave.

When questions of “class” interests are eliminated from public controversy a victory is thereby gained for the possessing, conservative class, whose only hope of security lies in such elimination.

Though I have usually posed as a Catholic, I have not done my duty for 15 years, and have not the slightest tincture of faith left…

The cause of labour is the cause of Ireland, the cause of Ireland is the cause of labour.

[partition of Ireland], ... the betrayal of the national democracy of Industrial Ulster, would mean a carnival of reaction both North and South, would set back the wheels of progress, would destroy the oncoming unity of the Irish labour …

'Those who live by the sword shall perish by the sword' say the Scriptures, and it may well be that in the progress of events the working class of Ireland may be called upon to face the stern necessity of taking the sword (or rifle) …

We believe in constitutional action in normal times; we believe in revolutionary action in exceptional times. These are exceptional times.

Governments in capitalist society are but committees of the rich to manage the affairs of the capitalist class.

Men perish but principles live.

The fight in Ireland has been one for the soul of a race – that Irish race which with seven centuries of defeat behind it still battled for the sanctity of its dwelling place.

Our demands most moderate are: we only want the earth.