“ Men, skilled in a trade, seldom enter the army or navy, but even they, after a military experience, find themselves totally unfitted for their former occupations. Having acquired habits of idleness and a taste for excitement and adventure, no peaceful pursuit can content them. ”
Emma Goldman, Anarchism and Other Essays (1910). copy citation
Author | Emma Goldman |
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Source | Anarchism and Other Essays |
Topic | excitement idleness |
Date | 1910 |
Language | English |
Reference | |
Note | |
Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2162/2162-h/2162-h.htm |
Context
“The growth of the standing army inevitably adds to the spread of sex perversion; the barracks are the incubators.
Aside from the sexual effects of barrack life, it also tends to unfit the soldier for useful labor after leaving the army. Men, skilled in a trade, seldom enter the army or navy, but even they, after a military experience, find themselves totally unfitted for their former occupations. Having acquired habits of idleness and a taste for excitement and adventure, no peaceful pursuit can content them. Released from the army, they can turn to no useful work. But it is usually the social riff-raff, discharged prisoners and the like, whom either the struggle for life or their own inclination drives into the ranks.”
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