The Soul of Man under Socialism [with Biographical Introduction]

by Oscar Wilde

Every man must be left quite free to choose his own work. No form of compulsion must be exercised over him. If there is, his work will not be good for him, will not be good in itself, and will not be good for others. And by work I simply mean activity of any kind.

With the abolition of private property, then, we shall have true, beautiful, healthy Individualism. Nobody will waste his life in accumulating things, and the symbols for things. One will live. To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.

High hopes were once formed of democracy; but democracy means simply the bludgeoning of the people by the people for the people.

The State is to make what is useful. The individual is to make what is beautiful.