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A passion for truth made Rosa Luxemburg recoil from any dogmatic thought. In a period when Stalinism has largely turned Marxism into a dogma, spreading desolation in the field of ideas, Rosa Luxemburg's writings are invigorating and life-giving. Nothing was more intolerable to her than bowing down to 'infallible authorities'. As a real disciple of Marx she was able to think and act independently of her master.~ Tony Cliff

Rosa Luxemburg#13

LuxemburgMarxismAuthorityDogmaIndependenceThinkingTruth

About this quote

What does it mean?
Tony Cliff contrasts Luxemburg's independent thinking with Stalinist dogma, highlighting her ability to think critically while remaining true to Marx.
In plain terms
Cliff says Luxemburg refused to blindly follow authorities and instead thought for herself within Marxism.
What can you take from it?
Independent thinking is essential even when following a master or tradition.

Where it applies

  • political theory
  • historical study
  • personal integrity

Putting it to work

  • encouraging critical thought
  • studying Marxist history
  • avoiding authoritarianism

Questions to consider

  • How do we respect teachers without blindly following them?
  • What stops people from thinking independently?

Another view

Independent thought can sometimes lead to fragmentation within movements.

More from Rosa Luxemburg

  1. Franz Mehring, the biographer of Marx, did not exaggerate when he called Rosa Luxemburg the best brain after Marx. But she did not contribute her brain alone t…

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  2. During a period when so many who consider themselves Marxists sap Marxism of its deep humanistic content, no one can do more to release us from the chains of l…

    Permalink to quote #14
  3. Marxism is a revolutionary worldview that must always struggle for new revelations. Marxism must abhor nothing so much as the possibility that it becomes conge…

    Permalink to quote #11

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