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About this quote

What does it mean?
Perhaps one day, when socialism becomes the state's religion, we will see in temple niches the saintly images of revolutionary fathers: Proudhon with glasses, Bakunin like a bear in Russian fur, Marx holding a pastor's symbolic staff.
In plain terms
If socialism becomes a religion, revolutionary leaders will be venerated like saints.
What can you take from it?
Political ideologies can acquire religious reverence.

Where it applies

  • political satire
  • cultural criticism

Putting it to work

  • examine political mythmaking
  • create critical art

Questions to consider

  • How do societies turn politics into worship?
  • What are the risks of such deification?

Another view

The scenario is speculative and satirical.

More from Jose Maria Eca de Queiroz

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  3. Em geral, nos outros, os Portugueses, so comecamos a ser idiotas - quando chegamos a idade da razao. Em pequenos temos todos uma pontinha de genio.

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