I am equally passionate about the struggle between the North and the Southern American states. Of course, my heart goes out to the North. But alas! It is the South who acted with the most force, wisdom, and solidarity, which makes them worthy of the triumph they have received in every encounter so far. It is true that the South has been preparing for war for three years now, while the North has been forced to improvise. The surprising success of the ventures of the American people, for the most part happy; the banality of the material well being, where the heart is absent; and the national vanity, altogether infantile and sustained with very little cost; all seem to have helped deprave these people, and perhaps this stubborn struggle will be beneficial to them in so much as it helps the nation regain its lost soul. This is my first impression; but it could very well be that I will change my mind upon seeing things up close. The only thing is, I will not have enough time to examine really closely.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Bakunin sympathizes with the North but acknowledges the South's superior organization and preparation. He suggests the war, while painful, might help the nation recover its spiritual integrity.
- In plain terms
- He supports the North but admits the South is winning due to better planning and unity.
- What can you take from it?
- Organized action often outweighs raw passion in conflict.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Can suffering restore a nation's soul?
- Does preparation guarantee victory?
Another view
He admits this is only his first impression and might change.
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