---
title: "When we hang the capitalists they will sell us the rope. — Joseph Stalin Quote #35 | QuotesBy.net"
description: "When we hang the capitalists they will sell us the rope. — a quote by Joseph Stalin."
image: "https://quotesby.net/wp-content/themes/quotesby-editorial/assets/og-default.png"
---

> # When we hang the capitalists they will sell us the rope.

[Joseph Stalin](https://quotesby.net/Joseph-Stalin)\#35

[Stalin](https://quotesby.net/Joseph-Stalin/stalin/)[Power](https://quotesby.net/Joseph-Stalin/power/)[Revolution](https://quotesby.net/Joseph-Stalin/revolution/)[Capitalism](https://quotesby.net/topics/capitalism/)[Exploitation](https://quotesby.net/topics/exploitation/)[Irony](https://quotesby.net/topics/irony/)[Power dynamics](https://quotesby.net/topics/power-dynamics/)

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## About this quote

What does it mean?This suggests that even oppressors depend on the systems they exploit, implying they will seek cooperation from those they harm when in trouble.In plain termsThose who oppress others may still need them for survival when their own power fails.What can you take from it?Oppressors often rely on the very people they exploit.

### Where it applies

- revolutionary rhetoric
- political critique
- historical commentary

### Putting it to work

- analyzing power structures
- critiquing economic systems

### Questions to consider

- Who benefits when oppressive systems collapse?
- Can enemies truly be independent?

### Another view

The quote is widely misattributed and lacks historical verification.

## More from Joseph Stalin

1. > Quantity is quality

[Permalink to quote \#34](https://quotesby.net/Joseph-Stalin/34/ "Permalink to quote 34")
2. > You cannot make a revolution with silk gloves.

[Permalink to quote \#36](https://quotesby.net/Joseph-Stalin/36/ "Permalink to quote 36")
3. > What shall we do? We shall envy!

[Permalink to quote \#33](https://quotesby.net/Joseph-Stalin/33/ "Permalink to quote 33")

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