d.w. brogan - 1934 - proudhon

8/12/2019 D.W. Brogan - 1934 - Proudhon

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The text is from Denis William Brogan (1934), Proudhon, London: H. Hamilton.

!"#DH"$

B% D.W. Brogan

&H'T!

TH D#&'T"$ "* !"#DH"$

PIERRE-JOSEPH PROUDHON was born on the 15th of January, 180, an! thus "rew u# $n the

sha!ow of two "reat e%ents, the &ren'h an! the $n!ustr$a( re%o(ut$ons) both of these he fe(t#rofoun!(y) the f$rst of the* he un!erstoo!+ He was born $n attant, a suburb of esan'on, the'a#$ta( of the &ree ounty of ur"un!y, an! h$s $ntense (o'a( #atr$ot$s* re*a$ne! a ($%$n" for'e $nh$s ($fe an! thou"ht to the !ay of h$s !eath+ H$s .($tt(e 'ountry., &ran'he-o*te., ha! on(y been #artof &ran'e for one hun!re! an! f$fty years when Prou!hon was born) esan'on was a rea( (o'a('a#$ta(, an! so*e of the see!s of Prou!hon.s fe!era($s*, of h$s !$s($/e of Par$s, an! of 'entra($sat$on,were sown $n those ear(y years+ He was a '$t$en of no *ean '$ty, a 'h$(! of no *ere !e#art*ent)an!, whether he was !efen!$n" the $nte((e'tua( $n!e#en!en'e of the ounty of ur"un!y a"a$nst the

#retens$ons of the Du'hy of ur"un!y, or (oo/$n" forwar! w$th !e($"ht to the re'onst$tut$on of theth$rty sub*er"e! nat$ona($t$es wh$'h he be($e%e! e$ste! $n &ran'e, he was f$"ht$n", not *ere(y for a"enera( #r$n'$#(e,but for the *e*or$es an! (oya(t$es of h$s youth+

2ore $*#ortant st$(( was h$s #arenta"e+ .2y an'estors on both s$!es were free #easants, ee*#tfro* feu!a( ser%$tu!e fro* t$*e $**e*or$a(.) there re*a$ne! to Prou!hon a(( h$s ($fe a fa*$(y #r$!eas "reat as that of a 3uer$nantes) be was born of no #ro(etar$an or ser%$(e sto'/+ Ha! not h$s*aterna( "ran!father, the o(! so(!$er, w$thstoo! before the re%o(ut$on !$e (o'a( tyrann$'a( s4u$re,an! was not h$s *other .note! for her %$rtues an! for her re#ub($'an $!eas. .6h$s $s rea( nob$($ty ofra'e+ I *yse(f a* a nob(e+. H$s father.s fa*$(y, the Prou!hons, was note! for obst$na'y) one bran'hha! r$sen $n the wor(!, ha! entere! the *$!!(e '(asses an! #ro!u'e! an e*$nent (awyer, but the

#oorer 'onne't$ons were far fro* #(ay$n" the ro(e of #oor re(at$ons) they ha! the$r share of the#r$!e, that was to be so *ar/e! $n the$r *ost fa*ous /$ns*an+ Prou!hon.s father was a 'oo#er an!,for a t$*e, a brewer+ He was, !oubt(ess, an honest an! $n!ustr$ous *an, but unsu''essfu( $n h$s

bus$ness+ 7ater, Prou!hon attr$bute! h$s father.s f$nan'$a( !$sasters to h$s $n'orr$"$b(e hab$t of se(($n"h$s beer at the .ust #r$'e., that $s, at the 'ost of #ro!u't$on, $nstea! of $*$tat$n" the rest of the

brewers who so(! at a #rof$t+ Not on(y that, the e(!er Prou!hon was 'arefu( about the 'hara'ter ofh$s 'usto*ers, an! so (ost *oney by refus$n" to (et wo*en enter h$s sho#+ Others were not sos'ru#u(ous, an! .ha%$n" "rown r$'h by #rost$tut$on +++ *arr$e! the$r 'h$(!ren off to the best #eo#(e,wh$(e *y father.s 'h$(!ren ha%e foun! nobo!y.+ 6he (esson (earne! here was ne%er for"otten) therewas a *ora((y r$"ht way of !o$n" bus$ness) there was a *ora((y wron" way of !o$n" bus$ness) but $n*o!ern so'$ety the r$"ht way (e! stra$"ht to ban/ru#t'y, the wron" way to wea(th an! honour+So'$ety *ust be *a!e safe for honesty an! a wor(! be 'reate! $n wh$'h the 'h$(!ren of an honest*an ($/e (au!e-&ran'o$s Prou!hon shou(! not be e*b$ttere! by ha%$n" the$r father.s honesty $nhun"er an! hu*$($at$on+

9(thou"h Prou!hon 'ons$!ere! h$*se(f a nat$%eof esan'on, the suburb where he was born,#reser%e!, as 2+ Dan$e( Ha(e%y te((s us, a rura( 'hara'ter+ .2any *ar/et-"ar!eners, #easants, w$ne-


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"rowers, foun! $t 'on%en$ent to (o!"e there, not far fro* the '$ty-fo(/+ 6hus they 'ou(! *a/e the$r($%$n" w$thout 'han"$n" the$r way of ($fe, /ee#$n" fa$thfu((y, $n the sha!ow of the town, to the$rrura( 'usto*s an! the$r rura( s#ee'h+. 6h$s, a"a$n, was of "reat $*#ortan'e to Prou!hon, for he(earne! to /now an! sy*#ath$se w$th the #easants, to fee( w$th the #easants $n h$s heart, to sharethe$r (an!-hun"er) the$r r$"$! %$ews of r$"ht-($%$n") the$r !ee# 'onser%at$s*) a(( 'o*b$ne! w$th the$r

#ass$on for e4ua($ty) the$r '(ass-'ons'$ousness) an! the$r sa%a"e reso(ut$on to be ea'h *aster of h$s

own f$e(!s an! h$s own househo(!+Not on(y !$! Prou!hon /now the #easant ($fe) he ($%e! $t+ Unt$( he was twe(%e, he was 'onstant(y

en"a"e! $n far*-wor/, es#e'$a((y $n her!$n" 'att(e, an! (ate $n ($fe, he !e'(are! that there, $n the"rass, (oo/$n" at the s/y, he (earne! un-hr$st$an (essons of trust $n nature, an! !$strust of .thatabsur! s#$r$tua($s* wh$'h $s at the bas$s of hr$st$an ($fe an! e!u'at$on.+ :hen he ha! be'o*e afa*ous anta"on$st or the hur'h, both he an! h$s ene*$es were $n'($ne! to ea""erate the heres$esof h$s 'h$(!hoo!) an! one #$ous anta"on$st !e'(are! that #rayer foun! no e'ho $n the Prou!honhouseho(!+ It was ne%er safe to assu*e anyth$n" about Prou!hon, an! he was $n!$"nant at th$s'har"e, for he was, $n fa't, brou"ht u# $n *atter-of-fa't ortho!oy by h$s #arents+ 6hey were "oo!atho($'s of the o(! &ren'h #easant s'hoo( an! so was the$r son+ He be($e%e! $n 3o! an! the sa$nts)

he a(so be($e%e! $n ny*#hs an! fa$r$es+Prou!hon owe! h$s 'han'e of for*a( e!u'at$on to the 9bbe S$rebon, the #ar$sh #r$est, net, to h$s

father.s e*#(oyer, but, abo%e a((, to h$s *other, ather$ne, who was the *a$nstay of the #oorhouseho(!+ 6he Prou!hons were "o$n" !own $n the wor(!+ (au!e-&ran'o$s was no (on"er h$s own*aster, the future was !ar/ but the boy was to be "$%en h$s 'han'e+ 6he entry to the (o'a( 'o((e"e;h$"h s'hoo(< was the "reatest e%ent of Prou!hon.s youth) *ore $*#ortant than the s$e"e ofesan'on, than h$s father fa$(ure, than the b$rth of a youn"er brother+ He now (earne! of !e($"hts as/een as any he ha! /nown as a her!-boy) he !$s#(aye! the #ro!$"$ous $n!ustry that was to re*a$nw$th h$* a(( h$s ($fe an! an a##et$te for (earn$n" that start(e! h$s tea'hers+ ut he stu!$e! un!er "reat!$ff$'u(t$es) h$s fa*$(y was !es#erate(y #oor, an! he ha! to borrow s'hoo( boo/s fro* *orefortunate boys, he ha! no hat) he wore woo!en shoes) an! he (earne! the truth of the (o'a( #ro%erb,

.Po%erty $s no 'r$*e) $t $s worse+.6he stu!$es were a(*ost ent$re(y *athe*at$'s an! 7at$n+ He was a #oor *athe*at$'$an ;an! that $s

worth re*e*ber$n"


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to (ea! the wor/ers for the$r own "oo!+ H$s 'on%$'t$on of the ne'ess$ty, an! the #oss$b$($ty, ofe4ua($ty was "$%en a se'ure bas$s $n h$s *$n! by h$s *e*or$es of the #r$nter.s 'ha#e(+ He (earne! thefor'e of tra!e #ra't$'e, of the way $n wh$'h a 'usto*ary 'o!e 'an /ee# the s(u""ar!s u# to the *ar/an! #re%ent the stron" fro* ra'$n" ahea! too fast+ He (earne! a tra!e *ora($ty, an! the nee! for an!the #oss$b$($ty of *utua( (oya(ty+ He ne%er (ost the 'on%$'t$on that he /new the *$n!s, the nee!s, thenatures of the wor/ers, an! of the #easants, as no a'a!e*$'s, fort$f$e! w$th for*a( !o'tr$ne, 'ou(!

/now the*+ 6he wor/ers ne%er be'a*e for h$* a ho*o"eneous '(ass of wh$'h any thousan! wereworth any other thousan!) the$r sa(%at$on must'o*e fro* w$th$n+ 9ny (ea!ersh$# fro* the outs$!e,no *atter what were $ts '(a$*s to su#er$or /now(e!"e or !$s$ntereste!ness, was s$*#(y another for*of tyranny+ 6here were *ore *o!es of e#(o$tat$on than those 'reate! by for*a( #ro#erty re(at$ons+

es$!es (earn$n" h$s tra!e he fe(( $n (o%e, %$o(ent(y, as he was ne%er to fa(( $n (o%e a"a$n, an! hereturne! to h$s re($"$on w$th a #ass$onate enthus$as*+ 6he wor/ of the #r$nt$n"-sho# was (ar"e(y'on'erne! w$th theo(o"y) Prou!hou rea! w$!e(y $n the fathers of the hur'h as we(( as *ore $n*o!ern wr$ters+ He thou"ht of h$*se(f as an a#o(o"$st for the fa$th, for $f he was a(rea!y sus#$'$ousof the #o($t$'a( s$!e of atho($'$s*, h$s fa$th $n the theory, $f not $n the #ra't$'e, of the hur'h wasst$(( war*+ 9(rea!y he was #er#(ee! by the #rob(e* of $ne4ua($ty, of wor(!(y $nust$'e+ :as the

hur'h r$"ht, was there no re*e!y for these e%$(s $n th$s wor(!, or was $t #oss$b(e to or"an$seso'$ety on new ($nes, to har*on$se the !es$res an! #ass$ons of *en :as *an the *a$*e! 'reature,*ar/e! by or$"$na( s$n as the hur'h !es'r$be! h$*, or was the es'a#e fro* h$s #r$son house $n h$sown han!s on'e he foun! the /ey He was te*#te! by the heresy of So'$n$an$s*, by the !en$a( ofor$"$na( s$n+ He was unw$tt$n"(y on h$s way out of the hur'h an! on to another fa$th+

He was now a #roof-rea!er an!, throu"h h$s 'orre't$ons of a 7at$nLives of the Saints, he *a!e thea'4ua$ntan'e an! won the fr$en!sh$# of $ts youn" e!$tor, 3usta%e &a((ot, !est$ne! to be the f$rst"reat #ersona( $nf(uen'e $n Prou!hon.s ($fe+ &a((ot was, or ho#e! to be, a #h$(o(o"$st) he $nfe'te!Prou!hon w$th h$s enthus$as*, an enthus$as* wh$'h, w$th Prou!hon, too/ the for* of (earn$n"Hebrew+ 6h$s stu!y (eft #er*anent *ar/s on h$s *$n!+ He reta$ne! to h$s !eath what was, for a&ren'h*an, an aston$sh$n" fa*$($ar$ty w$th the $b(e+ It was a wea#on of fa't, of ar"u*ent, of

rhetor$'a( a##ea(, an! he ran/e! $t w$th 9!a* S*$th an! He"e( a*on" the three sour'es of h$s$!eas+ Not on(y the $b(e, but #h$(o(o"y attra'te! h$*+ It $s har! to rea($e now the #rest$"e of

#h$(o(o"$'a( stu!$es $n that a"e) new %$stas were o#ene! u# by $t, %$stas not on(y $n the h$story of(an"ua"e, but $n the "enera( h$story of *an/$n!+ It was a '(ue to the nature of th$n"s wh$'h, $fstrenuous(y he(! to, wou(! (ea! $ts owner $nto the heart of the (abyr$nth where (ay the se'ret ofhu*an *$sery to be re*e!$e! by the a##($'at$on of the true (aws of *an.s nature, (aws wh$'h(an"ua"e 'ou(! $((u*$nate+ 6h$s $((us$on, that ($n"u$st$' /now(e!"e was the /ey to a(( or to *ost

#rob(e*s, ne%er who((y (eft Prou!hon+ It, as *u'h as any borrowe! !$a(e't$', was h$s *etho! ofresear'h an! of ar"u*ent+ On the who(e, th$s be($ef !$! h$* har*+ It $s worth say$n" on'e that theHebrew tet of the 'o**an!*ent !oes not say .6hou sha(t not stea(., but .6hou sha(t not #ut as$!e.,

butLo thignobre'urs too often, not as an $((ustrat$on, but as an ar"u*ent+ 9"a$n an! a"a$nar"u*ents are $nterru#te! or e(o4uen'e $s a((owe! to 'oo( off, wh$(e the ety*o(o"y of a wor! $s

#ursue! throu"h bo(! an! often erroneous "uesses+ It $s not of f$rst-'(ass $*#ortan'e to /now ;or toth$n/ you /now< that a(( the wor(! $s wron" $n be($e%$n" that religioat botto* *eans b$n!$n" , when$t rea((y *eans ben!$n"+ In any 'ase, e%en $f #h$(o(o"y ha! been as #owerfu( an! a!e4uate a wea#onas Prou!hon thou"ht, he was unf$tte! to use $t+ He /new a "oo! !ea( of 7at$n, 3ree/, Hebrew, but

be /new noth$n" of language, or noth$n" to the #o$nt+ He #a$ne! fr$en!s, who /new better, by h$sbo(! "uesses+ He ha! ne$ther the s'ho(ar.s e4u$#*ent nor te*#era*ent+ :or!s ha! the *ean$n"sProu!hon wante! the* to ha%e, an! $f *o!ern #h$(o(o"y "a%e h$* no su##ort, so *u'h the worsefor $t> It $s $n %a$n that h$s #at$ent fr$en!, Professor er"*ann, tr$es to ta*e h$*) the bee /ee#s

bu$n" $n the bonnet+ He ha! %a($! reasons for !$s($/$n" Renan.s *etho!s, but, $n any 'ase, the

#rofess$ona( su#er$or$ty of Renan $n #h$(o(o"$'a( e4u$#*ent wou(! ha%e *a!e Prou!hon sus#$'$ousof h$s r$%a( author of aLife of Jesus+

9nother /ey to /now(e!"e of so'$ety was now #ut $nto h$s han!s, for a fe((ow-'$t$en of &ran'he-


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o*te, ust be'o*$n" fa*ous, ha! h$s boo/ #r$nte! at esan'on+ 6he boo/ was The New IndustrialWorld of har(es &our$er, an! $t he(#e! to o#en the wor(! of e'ono*$' s#e'u(at$on to the youn"

#roof-'orre'tor+ 7ater $n ($fe Prou!hon, as was h$s wont, was (ess an! (ess w$(($n" to a!*$t h$s !ebtto &our$er, es#e'$a((y as he "ot to be on worse an! worse ter*s w$th &our$er.s !$s'$#(es, but the$nf(uen'e was "reat+ It $s *ost ob%$ous $n the f$rst e!$t$on of the reation of !rder in "umanit#,where the syste* of ser$es $s *a!e to !o a(( sorts of won!ers, but th$s was 'h$ef(y a *atter of wor!s+

ut &our$er.s s'e#t$'$s* of the state h$s %$ew that the so'$a( re%o(ut$on 'ou(! be brou"ht aboutwithinthe e$st$n" so'$ety by sett$n" an ea*#(e of a *ore eff$'$ent e'ono*y ;the Pha(anstery< has#o$nt of aff$n$ty w$th the (ater anar'h$'a( !o'tr$nes of Prou!hon, a(thou"h the effe't of the ea*#(e"$%en $n Prou!bon.s syste* $s *ora(, not e'ono*$'+ Prou!hon a!*$tte! s$ wee/s of $nfatuat$onw$th &our$er, but the $nf(uen'e (aste! (on"er than that+ Prou!hon 'a*e to s'orn a(( .Uto#$as. as 2ar!$!) the o#t$*$s* of Sa$nt-S$*on, of abet, an! of the &out$er$sts $nfur$ate! h$*) a(( these #ro*$sesof $n'rease! wea(th to be "enera((y !$str$bute! by $n"en$ous *an$#u(at$ons, by $*#ro%e! #ro!u't$%e*etho!s, were !e'e$t $n h$s eyes, for the best that 'ou(! be ho#e! for was !e'ent #o%erty fore%eryone, $nstea! of wea(th for so*e an! wret'he!ness for the rest+ It $s a sour'e of h$s stren"th thatthe sat$sfa't$ons he #ro*$ses h$s !$s'$#(es are *ora( rather than *ater$a(, but $f he aban!one! the

#ath o#ene! by &our$er, he was for (on" enou"h $n the !ebt of h$s fe((ow-'ountry*an, an! $n h$s

own (ater years he thou"ht *ore /$n!(y of the s#e'u(ator who* he ha! been use! to atta'/+:h$(e th$s $nter$or re%o(ut$on was un!er way, an eter$or re%o(ut$on bro/e out+ 6he .three "(or$ous

!ays of Ju(y. ;18?0< o%erthrew the restore! ourbons an! *a!e $t e%$!ent to the wor(! that there%o(ut$onary s#$r$t was a"a$n on the *ar'h+ 6hat re%o(ut$onary s#$r$t f$((e! the *$n! an! st$(( *orethe heart of Prou!hon+ He ne%er wa%ere! $n h$s be($ef that the &ren'h Re%o(ut$on was a turn$n"

#o$nt $n hu*an h$story+ 6hat Re%o(ut$on *$"ht be, for 2ar, *ere(y a tr$u*#h of the new 'a#$ta($sto%er the o(! feu!a( or!er, but for Prou!hon $t was the be"$nn$n" of the re$"n of Just$'e, or, at anyrate, $t *a!e #oss$b(e the $nst$tut$on of the re$"n of Just$'e+ :hat the 'ontent of Just$'e was, $nProu!bon.s syste*, w$(( be !es'r$be! (ater, but Prou!hon ne%er re"rette! for a *o*ent theRe%o(ut$on+ He 'ou(! be b$tter about $ts betraya( by (ea!ers who were heroes of the re%o(ut$onary

(e"en!, but who* he 'on!e*ne! for *$sun!erstan!$n" the "reat *o*ent of !e($%eran'e, but noneof h$s sneers at !e*o'ra'y an!, st$(( *ore, at !e*o'rats, 'an *a/e of h$* ;!es#$te the $n"en$ouss#e'$a( #(ea!$n" of 2+ 7ou$s D$*$er< a .*aster of the 'ounter-re%o(ut$on.+ Nowhere *ore '(ear(ythan $n Prou!hon, 'an one fee( the unsha/ab(e !e%ot$on of the &ren'h #easant an! wor/er to the*e*ory of those !ays .when Death was on thy !ru*s, De*o'ra'y, an!, w$th one rush of s(a%es, thewor(! was free.+ Is a *an, a boo/, a #roe't, 'ounter-re%o(ut$onary It $s thereby 'on!e*ne!+ Does a(aw or an $!ea see* to atte*#t to !a*n u# the re%o(ut$onary f(oo!) $t $s fut$(e+ 6he future $s, mustbew$th the Re%o(ut$on@ the o(! obe!$en'e to tra!$t$ona( author$ty, $n #o($t$'s an! $n re($"$on, hasre'e$%e! a *orta( woun!+ 9ny so'$ety base! on these $!eas $s b(ee!$n" to !eath) $t *ay be ban!a"e!u# for a t$*e, but the b(ee!$n" 'annot be sto##e!, 9s *u'h as 2ar, Prou!hon be($e%e! an!

#rea'he! the $ne%$tab(e %$'tory of h$s 'ause, the *a/$n" of the wor(! safe for the $!ea of Just$'e

brou"ht $nto $t by the &ren'h Re%o(ut$on+ It $s the the*e of h$s "reatest boo/,Justice in the$evolution and the hurch+ It sha#es a(( h$s e'ono*$' ar"u*ents, so that :a(ras $s start(e! to f$n!an e'ono*$' !o'tr$ne refute! as be$n" a"a$nst the s#$r$t of the Re%o(ut$on+ 6he Re- %o(ut$on, thou"hs$!e-tra'/e! an! betraye!, $s e%er on the *ar'h+ r$ses ($/e 18?0 an! 18A8 are bre! by the$nstab$($ty of a(( $nst$tut$ons wh$'h !o not fran/(y ta/e as the$r base the re%o(ut$onary $!ea of Just$'e,that $s to say, e4ua($ty+ 6here are now no author$t$es of tra!$t$on or of !$%$ne r$"ht) a(( su'hauthor$t$es !$e! $n 1B8) a(thou"h the$r rott$n" 'or#ses *ay yet 'u*ber the "roun!+

6he $**e!$ate effe't of the re%o(ut$on of 18?0 was not to #ro%$!e Prou!bon w$th a #h$(oso#hy,but to !e#r$%e h$* of h$s ob, for the u#hea%a( was ba! for bus$ness, Prou!hon (earne! that e%enbe$n" *aster of a tra!e !$! not ;as $t shou(! ha%e !one< "uarantee a ($%$n"+ &a((ot !$! h$s best for the

fr$en! to who* he #re!$'te! that .you w$(( be a wr$ter, a #h$(oso#her, you w$(( be one of the ($"hts ofthe a"e +++ you 'annot es'a#e your !est$ny.+ 6he !est$ny was st$(( fu"$t$%e, howe%er) a ($%e($hoo! ofany /$n!, as a tea'her, as a #r$nter, was the f$rst ne'ess$ty+ &a((ot ha! an $!ea+ :hy not a##(y for the


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Suar! S'ho(arsh$# It was tenab(e for three years) $t was the %ery th$n" that wou(! enab(e Prou!honto 'o*#(ete h$s e!u'at$on+ ut Prou!hon was far (ess a*b$t$ous for h$*se(f than h$s fr$en! was forh$*+ 9t (ast he su''u*be! to &a((ot.s #(ea!$n"s, to the offer to share the$r resour'es $n Par$s+ He setoff for the 'a#$ta( on foot) Par$s !$! not #(ease h$*, ne$ther the #(a'e nor the #eo#(e) an! &a((ot fe(($((+ He re'o%ere!, but Prou!hon wou(! not be a !ra" on h$s fr$en! any (on"er) there was no wor/ to

be ha! $n the '$ty, so he set out, on foot, for the South, w$th C $n h$s #o'/et+

He was, $f not !$sa##o$nte!, for the *o*ent at (east, !efeate!) he was to be a wor/er, not a wr$ter -an! he was a wor/er w$thout wor/+ 6he t$*es 'ont$nue! ba!) the he(#(essness of the *ere wor/erwas tau"ht to Prou!hon+ He arr$%e! at 6ou(on w$th three an! a ha(f fran's (eft) he foun! no wor/,

but ha! he not a #ass#ort wh$'h #ro*$se! he(# an! #rote't$on He a##($e! to the *ayor to "$%e h$*wor/, an! the *ayor, one of the now tr$u*#hant bour"eo$s$e wh$'h the re'ent re%o(ut$on ha! #ut$nto #ower, to(! h$* that he ha! *$sun!erstoo! h$s #ass#ort) a(( he 'ou(! '(a$* was enou"h *oneyto ta/e h$* ho*e+ 6he off$'$a( ha%$n" fa$(e!, he a##ea(e! to the *an) a"a$n he was re#u(se!+ .erywe(( .I sa$! between '(en'he teeth, .I #ro*$se you to re*e*ber th$s $nter%$ew+. 9n! re*e*ber $t he!$!, *ore than twenty years (ater when he to(! the story+

6here was noth$n" for $t but to return to esan'on, where h$s fa*$(y ha! ust (ost the th$r! son,

'a((e! u# to the ar*y, wh$'h the sons of the #ros#erous 'ou(! es'a#e by a *oney #ay*ent, an!where Jean- Et$enne was to !$e, another %$'t$* of so'$ety+ &or a br$ef *o*ent Prou!hon was e!$torof a new #a#er, an or"an of .a!%an'e! $!eas.) but, $n a !ay, he (earne! that the $!eas *ust not be*ore a!%an'e! than those of the #ro#r$etor+ 6he ob was thrown u# at on'e, an! a (esson on thene'essary 'o*#ro*$ses of #arty ourna($s* tau"ht - but not (earne!+

He wor/e! for a wh$(e $n the 'ountry at 9rbo$s, a$!$n" $n a (awsu$t a"a$nst a "reat #ro#r$etor an!!r$n/$n" !ee#(y at the #o#u(ar tra!$t$ons of the Re%o(ut$on) an! then returne! to esan'on to wor/for h$s o(! e*#(oyers as a #roof-rea!er+ He ha! CF a *onth) $t was wea(th> 9*on" h$s obs was thesee$n" throu"h the #ress of a 7at$n $b(e - an! of a new e!$t$on of the theo(o"$'a( !$'t$onary ofer"$er+ 6o the (atter he owe! *u'h of that 'o**an! of theo(o"$'a( (earn$n" that *a!e *any th$n/

he ha! stu!$e! for the #r$esthoo!+ It re$nfor'e! h$s 'onte*#t for %a"ueness or for 'o*#ro*$se)between atho($'$s* an! 9the$s*, or, as he was to $ns$st, .ant$-the$s*, there $s noth$n" that a sober*an 'an rest on+ 6here mustbe 'erta$nty, an! one s$!e or the other *ust be 'hosen+ He hate! thehur'h an! *any of $ts ser%ants, but he ne%er 'ease! to res#e't $t) $t was the "reatest, *ostres#e'tab(e of errors, not to be assa$(e! w$th the feeb(e an! 'orru#t *etho!s of o(ta$re - fora(thou"h o(ta$re was on the r$"ht s$!e, the $b(e an! the hur'h were not to be re#(a'e! by the(ew! est$n" ofLa %ucelle or the sent$*enta( re($"$os$ty of Rousseau+

2eant$*e, he atte*#te! to es'a#e fro* !e#en!en'e, not by (earn$n", but by h$s tra!e+ He set u# $n#artnersh$# as a #r$nter+ It was a *o*ent of ho#e an! oy) a short *o*ent, for h$s fr$en! &a((ot !$e!,h$s "reat s'he*es unf$n$she!, an! he ha! (eft h$s fa*e to Prou!hon as a 'har"e - an!, $n!ee!, $f&a((ot $s at a(( re*e*bere! to-!ay, $t $s as one who he(#e! Prou!hon> ut Prou!hon.s a*b$t$onswere not #ure(y those of a #r$nter) he ha! so*eth$n" to say) #erha#s $t was, as 2+ Dan$e( Ha(e%ysu""ests, a way of 'arry$n" on &a((ot.s wor/+ In any 'ase, Prou!hon be"an h$s f$rst boo/, an essay $n

#h$(o(o"y, the s'$en'e whose #oss$b$($t$es ha! !a(e! h$* when &a((ot f$rst !$s#(aye! the* beforeh$s eyes+ In for*, the boo/ was an a##en!$ to a #h$(o(o"$'a( essay of er"$er, but $n essen'e $t wasthe sear'h after eterna( truth by the roa! of (an"ua"e) the s'$en'e of (an"ua"e w$(( (ea! *an to thetruth he $s *a!e to /now+ 6he essay fe(( ent$re(y f(at) $t !$! not bear Prou!hon.s na*e an!, $n any'ase, no one not$'e! $t+ 9s a ser$ous stu!y $n #h$(o(o"y $t was worth(ess) Prou!hon, ($/e er"$er,($%e! $n a wor(! where *o!e* s'$ent$f$' #h$(o(o"y was un/nown+ 7ater, Prou!hon re'o"n$se! th$s,an! was as s'ornfu( of h$s f$rst efforts as any 'r$t$' 'ou(! !es$re+ &or the *o*ent the (ost 'han'e offa*e was (ess $*#ortant than the !e'($ne of the #r$nt$n" bus$ness+ Prou!hon was re#eat$n" h$s

father.s e#er$en'e, an effort to se'ure $n!e#en!en'e by har! wor/ an! honest !ea($n" was #ro%$n"fru$t(ess+ 6he !eath of h$s brother, of &a((ot, the fa$(ure of h$s wr$t$n"s, of h$s bus$ness, a((e*b$ttere! h$*+ He ha!,!rea*'! of #r$%ate %en"ean'e, of the enfor'e*ent of ust$'e, or, at (east, thea%en"$n" of wron" by a se'ret 'ourt of honest *en, on(y there were so few honest *en> 9 hun!re!


6/31


7/31

the "oo! 'ause as he 'on'e$%e! $t+

&H'T!

TH '+HLT!

Prou!hon returne! to Par$s $n 18?8, su##ort$n" h$*se(f by wr$t$n" art$'(es for a atho($'en'y'(o#e!$a an! 'orre't$n" #roofs for a roya($st ourna(+ 6hese obs !$! not (ast (on") an! he wasrea!y to #(un"e $nto h$s stu!$es, su##orte! by the s'ho(arsh$#+ He ha! !rea*e! of foun!$n" a

re%$ew) he now wante! to e#ress the $!eas fer*ent$n" $n h$*, an! he too/ the f$rst o##ortun$tyoffere! by sen!$n" $n an essay for a #r$e offere! by the 9'a!e*y of esan'on, on the 4uest$on ofThe ,sefulness of the elebration of Sunda#+ H$s essay "ot an honorab(e *ent$on, but, *ore$*#ortant, $t re%ea(e! the essent$a( Prou!hon+ 6he so'$a( usefu(ness of the 2osa$' (aw $s stresse!)

but for us, the *ost $nterest$n" the*es are those that Prou!hon was to s#en! h$s ($fe $n e(aborat$n"+.Is e4ua($ty of 'on!$t$ons an $nst$tut$on of nature, $s $t e4u$tab(e, $s $t #oss$b(e On ea'h of these

#o$nts I !are !e'$!e for the aff$r*at$%e+. 6here $s a !e'(arat$on of the abso(ute 'hara'ter of the *ora((aw, for Rousseau ha! erre! .$n sub*$tt$n" ust$'e an! *ora($ty to the !e'$s$on of nu*bers an! tothe o#$n$on of the *aor$ty+.Lo thignob$s stresse!) for $t *eans not, .6hou sha(t not stea(., but .6housha(t not (ay anyth$n" as$!e for thyse(f., 6here muste$st a s'$en'e of so'$ety wh$'h $t $s the wor/ ofthe e'ono*$st not to invent, but tofind+ If the for* an!, $n the *a$n, the (an"ua"e of the essay are

$nno'uous enou"h, to any rea!er who /nows the (ater Prou!hon, $t $s ob%$ous that the elebrationof Sunda#, for a(( $ts for*a( #$ety, shows that the 9'a!e*y ha! 'au"ht a tartar, an! $n 18A0a##eare! the wor/ wh$'h #ut th$s beyon! !oubt+ It was a %ery hu*an tou'h $n Prou!hon to re"ar! a(*ost e%ery boo/ of h$s, wh$(e be was wr$t$n" $t,as e#o'h-*a/$n", new, f$na(+ Of none of the* were these ho#es better foun!e! than the essay on

#ro#erty, wh$'h he was 'on%$n'e! *$"ht #ro%e .the *ost re*ar/ab(e e%ent of 18A0.+ Into $t he #uta(( h$s b$tterness, a(( h$s !e($"ht $n %erba( ana(ys$s, an!, he thou"ht, the resu(t, free fro* a(( rhetor$',ha! noth$n" ($/e $tse(f $n a(( #h$(oso#hy+ What is %ro(ert#-was the t$t(e, an! the answer was "$%en$n the f$rst few ($nes+ .If I ha! to answer the fo((ow$n" 4uest$on@ What is Slaver#-an! answer$n" $n as$n"(e wor!, I re#($e!@It is .urder, *y *ean$n" wou(! be un!erstoo! at on'e+ I shou(! ha%e nonee! of a (on" !$s'ourse to show that the #ower to ta/e fro* a *an thou"ht, w$((, #ersona($ty, $s a

#ower of ($fe an! !eath, an! that to ens(a%e a *an $s to *ur!er h$*+ :hy then, $n answer to th$sother 4uest$on@ What is %ro(ert#-'an I not re#(y,It is Theftw$thout ha%$n" the assuran'e of not

be$n" un!erstoo!, a(thou"h th$s se'on! #ro#os$t$on $s on(y the f$rst transfor*e!.%ro(ert# is Theft+ 6o *ost of h$s own 'ountry*en Prou!hon, for the rest of h$s ($fe, was 'a#ab(e of

anyth$n" be'ause of h$s e#$"ra*+ In %a$n he e(aborate! h$s !o'tr$ne, e#(a$ne!, for twenty years,that he was a !efen!er, not an ene*y of #ro#erty) he 'ou(! ne%er ($%e !own or ($%e u# to the toosu''essfu(,o#en$n" ($nes+ ut he ne%er re'ante! what he ha! wr$tten) he was $n!ee! $nor!$nate(y

#rou! of h$s #hrase - an! there was no 4u$'/er way to earn h$s hate than to assert that he ha! not$n%ente! $t or, at (east, that he ha! not "$%en $t $ts f$rst rea( $nter#retat$on+ It was one of the 'r$*es of7ou$s (an' that he sa$! r$ssot ha! #re'e!e! Prou!hon $n th$s assert$on, an! the #ro#erty $n the

#hrase,.Pro#erty $s 6heft. was fou"ht o%er w$th an a'erb$ty that has $ts 'o*$' s$!e+ 6he atta'/ on #ro#erty was *a!e $n three tra'ts+ 6he f$rst 'ause! a terr$f$' s'an!a( an! e*bro$(e!h$* w$th the 9'a!e*y+ 6he se'on!, howe%er ;The Letter to ./ )lan0ui< was wr$tten $n *$(!er sty(eto e#(a$n the f$rst, wh$'h *$"ht ha%e (e! to Prou!hon.s arrest ha! not 2+ (an4u$, a !$st$n"u$she!


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e'ono*$st, assure! the 2$n$ster of ust$'e, 2+ $%$en, that Prou!hon was a ser$ous stu!ent, not a*ere a"$tator -a "oo! off$'e for wh$'h Prou!hon re*a$ne! "ratefu( both to the a'a!e*$'$an an! the*$n$ster+ 6he th$r! tra't was theLetter to onsiderant or the Warning to %ro(rietors, an! th$s wasas $nf(a**atory as the f$rst+ :hat are the ar"u*ents brou"ht forwar! to ust$fy the !e'(arat$on that

%ro(ert# is Theft-No t$*e nee! be (ost $n 'onfut$n" the 'r$t$'s who #o$nt out that the $!ea of theftne'essar$(y $*#($es #ro#erty+ &or Prou!hon, #ro#erty was #r$%ate #ro#erty+ 2u'h of h$s ar"u*ent

rea!s o!!(y to-!ay, $f $t $s not re*e*bere! when he was wr$t$n" an! a"a$nst what anta"on$sts+ In the($fet$*e of Prou!hon.s father an! *other, there ha! been an $**ense transferen'e of #ro#erty r$"htsfro* the hur'h an! the nob$($ty, 'h$ef(y to the *$!!(e '(asses) at any rate, not to the Prou!honfa*$(y+ 9s fast as #oss$b(e, the new owners be"an to !e*an! a re($"$ous re%eren'e for a(( #ro#ertyr$"hts, $n'(u!$n" those so re'ent(y a'4u$re!> Pro#erty, $n!ee!, ha! been !e'(are! to be one of the.R$"hts of 2an.+ It $s a"a$nst these !efen'es that Prou!hon (aun'hes h$s *ost for*$!ab(e atta'/s+ If.the r$"ht to #ro#erty., $s to ha%e any *ean$n" re(at$n" $t to the other natura( r$"hts, $t *ust *ean ther$"ht of ever# man to ha%e #ro#erty, not the r$"ht ofsome mento e'(u!e the$r (ess fortunate fe((owsfro* enoy*ent of th$s .natura( r$"ht.+ ut #ro#erty $s not a natura( r$"ht at a(() $f $t were, why a(( thear"u*ent .:ho,. he as/s au!a'$ous(y, .e%er $n4u$res $nto the or$"$n of the r$"hts of ($berty, se'ur$ty,e4ua($ty. 9(( atte*#ts to !e*onstrate that #ro#erty has any r$"hts, other than those base! on for*a(

(aw, brea/ !own+ Jur$sts, ($/e 3rot$us an! Poth$er, #h$(oso#hers ($/e Re$!, .'h$ef of the E!$nbur"hs'hoo(., #ro!u'e ar"u*ents that e$ther /ee# to the surfa'e or $n%o(%e !ee# 'ontra!$'t$ons+ In short,

#ro#erty $s im(ossible16he f$rst retort of the un*eta#hys$'a((y-*$n!e! rea!er $s to as/ that $f #ro#erty $s $*#oss$b(e, why

*a/e su'h a fuss about $t ut by $*#oss$b(e Prou!hon *eans that the $!ea of abso(ute #ro#erty, asun!erstoo! by the (awyers, $s 'ontra!$'tory, $s a Uto#$a+ y #ro#erty, Prou!hon a(*ost a(ways atth$s sta"e *eans #ro#erty $n (an! an! #ro#erty $n (an! not wor/e! by the owner+ It $s rent $n the'o**on *ean$n" of the wor!, not the R$'ar!$an e'ono*$' rent, that $s the f$rst "reat "r$e%an'e ofthe #ro#erty(ess '(asses, for the *ere (an!(or! $s #a$! for so*eth$n" he has not 'reate!) h$s re(at$onto the e'ono*$' e#(o$tat$on of the (an! $s #ure(y #aras$t$'+ It $s use(ess for har(es o*te to as/what about the owner who $*#ro%es the (an! 6he *a/$n" of two b(a!es of "rass "row where one"rew before 'reates r$"hts, ;%ery ($*$te! r$"hts $n!ee!


9/31

an atta'/ on #ro#erty, e%en thou"h the 'on%ers$on $s for*a((y %o(untary+ 6he ho(!ers of the !ebtha%e a r$"ht to the$r 5 #er 'ent -or #ro#erty r$"hts are e*#ty, an ar"u*ent that one *$"ht ha%ethou"ht s$((y $f $t ha! not been use! $n our own t$*e by S$r Ernest enn+ :hat $s "oo!, $n #ro#erty,the #oss$b$($ty $t offers of es'a#e fro* the s(a%ery an! !e"ra!at$on of 'o**un$s*, $s on(y to bese'ure! by e4ua($ty+

Prou!hon #ushes the ar"u*ent for e4ua($ty %ery har!+ E%en the far*er who has $n'rease! wea(th

by h$s $*#ro%e*ents on the (an! he t$((s $s not ent$t(e! to a##ro#r$ate the $n'rease! wea(th+ 9fter a((,the f$sher*an whose etra s/$(( resu(ts $n a 'at'h tw$'e as "reat as that of h$s fe((ows $s 'ontent w$ththe rewar! of one !oub(e 'at'h) he !oes not '(a$* a !oub(e 'at'h for e%er> Prou!hon ha! a(ways awea/ness for ana(o"y, not as $((ustrat$on, but as ar"u*ent) an! h$s atte*#t to ($*$t the r$"hts of the$*#ro%$n" far*er to a #re-e*#t$on an! yet to #reser%e e4ua($ty are not %ery ha##y+ He $s har!,$n!ee!, on a(( '(a$*s to su#er$or rewar!, for e%ery *e*ber of so'$ety $s $ts !ebtor) no *atter howhar! or s/$(fu((y a *an wor/s, he !$es as he $s bo*, o%er!rawn at the an/ of So'$ety+ 6he "reatsour'e of wea(th $s the 'o**un$ty, an! th$s 'on%$'t$on $s at the bas$s of what 2+ ou"(e 'a((s .theso'$o(o"y of Prou!hon.+ It $s use(ess to say that h$"h ta(ents ou"ht to be better #a$!, for the!$fferen'e between *an an! *an $s s($"ht an! *ore e!u'at$on w$(( re!u'e $t further) wh$(e thes'ar'$ty of so*e ta(ents *ere(y shows that they are not *u'h nee!e!+ Nature #ro%$!es as *any of

ea'h '(ass of wor/er as so'$ety nee!s, so there $s "ross $nust$'e $n #ay$n" an a'tress ($/e Ra'he(*ore than a sea*stress) any #ay*ent of that /$n! *ust be ta/en fro* the wor/ers+ 9 #oet whos#en!s th$rty years on a *aster#$e'e $s, at the en! of $t, ent$t(e! to th$rty years #ay as a wor/er, an!any out-of-#o'/et e#enses he *ay ha%e $n'urre! for boo/s an! tra%e(+ 9fter a((, there areo''u#at$ons wh$'h are (uur$es, one #rofessor of #h$(oso#hy $s 4u$te enou"h for the who(e of &ran'ean! one e'ono*$st for e%ery two thousan! *$(($on #eo#(e> Natura((y, so*e wor/*en !o $n s$hours what others ta/e e$"ht to !o, but they *ust not *a/e use of those two hours to earn *ore+ Ifothers 'an on(y !o four hours wor/ $n e$"ht hours, they *ust not "et *ore than ha(f #ay+ 6hea%era"e #ro!u't of+, the a%era"e wor/er, that $s what shou(! be the stan!ar!+ It $s easy here to seethe for*er #r$nter, use! to the !$s'$#($ne of the wor/sho#> ut the rea( so(ut$on $s to se'ure (an! fore%erybo!y who wants $t, an! to se'ure e4ua($ty of resour'es $n th$s way+ &or, Prou!hon, at th$ssta"e, an! (ater, #ro#erty $s (an! an! "o(! an! s$(%er) they *ust be !$str$bute! e4ua((y, or so'$etyor"an$se! so that the s#e'$a( #r$%$(e"es of the$r owners !$sa##ear+

6he *a$n !o'tr$nes of Prou!hon are #resent $n these three tra'ts - an! the *a$n fan'$es+o**en'$n" a re%o(ut$onary 'a*#a$"n, he f$res on h$s own s$!e as we(( as on the 'o**on ene*y+

Not on(y the r$'h, but other rebe( wr$ters an! (ea!ers are assa$(e!+ abet, Sa$nt-S$*on, &our$er,7ou$s (an', the ra!$'a(s of theNationalas we(( as the su##orters of the bour"eo$s *onar'hy, are

b(u!"eone!+ 6he #ass$on for e4ua($ty wh$'h an$*ates the author !oes not "o as far as e4ua($tybetween the sees, *an an! wo*an are not $n a 'o**on so'$ety, so the ne'ess$ty of e4ua($ty wh$'har$ses between *an an! *an $s absent> In th$s f$rst a##earan'e before the "reat #ub($', Prou!honwas sub($*e(y 'onf$!ent that he saw further $nto the heart of th$n"s than anyone e(se, an! that h$s

wr$t$n"s were of $**ense $**e!$ate $*#ortan'e+ Pro#erty was ($/e a 'r$*$na( try$n" to es'a#e'ross-ea*$nat$on an!, $n the Second .emoir*he !e'(ares that he .$s sworn to an $**ensere(%o(ut$on, terr$b(e to 'har(atans an! !es#ots.> Pe((etan was (ater to say that Prou!hon f$re! a*us/et off $n the street to attra't attent$on, an!, $n th$s 'ase, he su''ee!e! $n h$s, #ub($'$ty *etho!s+It was not for noth$n" that he ha! /nown the youn" ro*ant$'s of Par$s) where 3aut$er ha! worn are! wa$st'oat to start(e the *$!!(e '(asses, Prou!hon re($e! on %$o(ent (an"ua"e, (an"ua"e wh$'hoften 'on'ea(e! far fro* %$o(ent thou"ht+ He now re'e$%e! the %ery th$n" he nee!e! to *a$nta$n the$*#ress$on he ha! *a!e, a #rose'ut$on, at esan'on, for the se!$t$ous 'hara'ter of the Warning to

%ro(rietors, a #rose'ut$on wh$'h fa$(e! an! "a%e Prou!hon an a!%ert$se*ent an! what #ro%e to be a!an"erous(y h$"h o#$n$on of h$s #ower o%er an au!$en'e+ 6he un/nown #r$nter an! obs'ure stu!entwho ha! been so $((-at-ease $n the houses of h$s tea'hers $n Par$s, was now a fa*ous, or at (east a

notor$ous *an+ :hat were the 'auses of h$s su''ess6he "reatest of Prou!hon.s assets was h$s a!*$rab(e *astery of the &ren'h ton"ue+ He #rofesse! to!es#$se *ere ($terature an! *ere *en, of (etters, but, at h$s best, there was no 'onte*#orary wr$ter


10/31

of &ren'h #rose who ha! a surer 'o**an! of the (an"ua"e+ 6h$s *astery he !$s#(aye!, abo%e a((, $natta'/ an!, at *o*ents, h$s %er%e an! for'e *a!e h$* not unworthy of 'o*#ar$son w$th the *asterwho he a!*$re! so *u'h, Pau( 7ou$s our$er+ In the f$rst.emoir on %ro(ert#, as $n h$s (ast

#osthu*ous fra"*ents, there are #assa"es of $n%e't$%e whose te'hn$'a( e'e((en'e w$ns thea!*$rat$on e%en of the *ost host$(e rea!er+ :hen 2ar #ra$se! the ($terary for'e !$s#(aye! $n thef$rst "reat #a*#h(et he, howe%er "ru!"$n"(y, re'o"n$se! a #o(e*$'a( #ower $n th$s ($ne at (east e4ua(

to h$s own ) an! the *ost enthus$ast$' tr$bute to Prou!hon.s ($terary ab$($ty 'o*es fro* h$s r$"orous'r$t$', 9rthur Desar!$ns+ .6h$s #(ebe$an 'ar%es out h$s #hrases w$th #rofoun! art, the art of the "reat'(ass$'a( authors) he $s !es'en!ant of the wr$ters who* 7ou$s GI #rote'te! an! who #erfe'te! ourton"ue+ He, no (ess than 2o($ere, ou"ht to ha%e been a *e*ber of the &ren 9'a!e*y+.

ut not a(( of Prou!hon.s ($terary s/$(( was s#ent on $n%e't$%e+ 6here are $n h$s (etters, an! s'attere!throu"h h$s wr$t$n"s, es#e'$a((y $n the autob$o"ra#h$'a( fra"*ents ofJustice in the $evolution andthe hurch*#a"es of #ure !es'r$#t$on, of re*$n$s'en'e, s/et'hes of h$s ear(y !ays $n &ran'he-o*te, wh$'h *a/e on rea($se that he sa'r$f$'e! the 'han'e of "$%$n" Renan.s.emories ofhildhood and #outha *ore fo*$!ab(e r$%a( than h$sLife of Jesuswas to Renan.s best-se((er+ He"a%e u# to h$s 'ause, to h$s (o%es an! hates, the #oss$b$($ty of a ($terary 'areer of the f$rst or!er+E%en when h$s #ub($shers wou(! not #ub($sh h$s #o($t$'a( boo/s, when the Press was barre! to h$*

an! when ($terature $n%$te! h$* w$th o#en ar*s to es'a#e fro* !$re #o%erty by enter$n" her ser%$'e,he was not te*#te!+ He !a(($e! w$th the $!ea of ($terary 'r$t$'$s*) h$s fr$en!s, ($/e Sa$nte-eu%e, h$swe((-*ean$n" t$*$! #ub($shers, the 3arn$ers, tr$e! to #ersua!e h$*) but h$s %o'at$on ha! been'hosen twenty years before, when the !e($"hts an! !ut$es of 'ontro%ersy, of e#oun!$n" the truthan! of 'onfut$n" error ha! ta/en #ossess$on of h$*+ H$s .one ta(ent wh$'h was !eath to h$!e. was for

#ub($' affa$rs, h$s !uty was to a$! the !e($%eran'e of the #oor fro* the 'ha$ns $n wh$'h $"noran'e ofthe true 'ause of the$r $((s boun! the*+ Prou!hon was 'ontent to be a #a*#h(eteer+

He was a "reat #a*#h(eteer, but the un'r$t$'a( #ra$ses of b$" a!*$rers ha%e *a!e $t har!er for thewor(! to a##re'$ate h$s "reatness+ He was on(y o''as$ona((y, an! for br$ef #er$o!s, a /een reasoner+He was not, !es#$te re#eate! assert$ons of !$s'$#(es, $n h$s own ($fet$*e an! s$n'e, a *aster of r$"$!(o"$'a( !e*onstrat$on+ He h$*se(f was, $n!ee!, un!er the $((us$on that (o"$' was h$s stron" #o$nt+ Hewas e'ess$%e(y fon! of 'ast$n" ar"u*ent $nto (o"$'a( for*s an! ha%$n" brou"ht h$s !e*onstrat$onto a tr$u*#hant 'on'(us$on, he was #rone to re"ar! any 'r$t$' who !e*urre! to h$s resu(ts, asw$(fu((y b($n! - or *ere(y $n'a#ab(e of rat$ona( thou"ht+ In h$s (on" an! barren 'ontro%ersy w$thast$at, o%er the nature of $nterest, he was at (ast #ro%o/e! $nto !e'(ar$n" that .I ha%e to !o w$th a*an whose $nte(($"en'e $s her*et$'a((y sea(e! an! for who* (o"$' !oes not e$st+. ast$at was not a

#rofoun! th$n/er, an! h$s share of the 'ontro%ersy earne! h$* the 'onte*#t of :a(ras, but he wasnot as stu#$! as Prou!hon *a!e out+ In fa't, Prou!hon.s !e%ot$on to (o"$' was %ery su#erf$'$a(+ 9(o"$'a( *etho!, the ser$es of &our$er, the ant$*on$es of ant, the !$a(e't$' of He"e(, the sy((o"$s*of the s'ho(ast$'s, was, for Prou!hon, not a *eans of test$n" truth, or of f$n!$n" $t, but a !e%$'e for

#ersua!$n" h$s rea!ers of truths wh$'h he he(! on $ntu$t$ona( "roun!s+ 6h$s $s no !oubt true of *any

*ore wr$ters than Prou!hon, but few wr$ters of h$s ab$($ty ha%e re($e! on *ore 'h$(!$sh fa((a'$esw$th *ore na$%e 'onf$!en'e than he+ 6he #a$n w$th wh$'h :a(ras !$sentan"(es so*e of the (essf(a"rant so#h$str$es, the re#eate! bo(! trans$t$ons fro* a *ora( to an e'ono*$' 'ate"ory wh$'h $s the"reat Prou!hon$an tr$'/, $s un'ons'$ous(y funny+ In the Prou!hon$an wor(!, .e4ua($ty of res#e't. an!.e4ua($ty of $n'o*es. wereter*s $n the sa*e sy((o"$s*, for Prou!hon ha! no un!erstan!$n" of an$nte((e'tua( wor(! $n wh$'h non-*ora( 'ate"or$es e$ste!+ &or a(( h$s #ara!e of r$"$! !e*onstrat$onof truths wh$'h wou(! sa%e the wor(!, Prou!hon was ne%er as/$n" .Is th$s 6rue. but a(ways .Is th$sR$"ht. If h$s o##onents ha! been notab(y *ore '(ear-hea!e! than Prou!hon, he wou(! ha%e been a(ess for*$!ab(e 'ontro%ers$a($st than, $n fa't, he was) but $n the *$!!(e of the n$neteenth 'entury,ortho!o e'ono*$sts ha! not a'4u$re! the$r #resent se(f-!eny$n" att$tu!e an!, 'ons'$ous(y orun'ons'$ous(y, *$e! the$r own 'ate"or$es+ E%en :a(ras, who was f$"ht$n" at a h$"her (e%e( than

ast$at or 6h$ers, 'o**$tte! h$*se(f to the %$ew that $t was $*#u!ent for Say ;an! Prou!hon< toatta'/ the #sy'ho(o"$'a( resu(ts of the !$%$s$on of (abour, s$n'e !$%$s$on of (abour ha!, or wou(!,re!u'e wor/$n" hours, so that the wor/er who ha! s#ent ten hours *a/$n" the twe(fth #art of a #$n


11/31

'ou(! restore h$s *ut$(ate! #ersona($ty by any for* of re'reat$on he ($/e!> 6he assu*#t$on, that the*onotony or %ar$ety of wor/ was $n $tse(f un$*#ortant, 'a*e *ore eas$(y to the *athe*at$'$an thanto the for*er #r$nter who re*a$ne! to h$s !eath so #rou! that he ha! *astere! a who(e tra!e, not a*ere #art of a #ro'ess+ ut what was an o''as$ona( s($# w$th :a(ras, was fre4uent w$th (esser *en,an! the (e"a( a#o(o"$sts for #ro#erty, who *$e! u# $*#($'$t ut$($tar$an$s*, (e"a( !o"*a haar!ousanthro#o(o"y, $n one stout aff$r*at$on of the #ro#erty syste* as !ef$ne! by the ode Na(oleon*

were easy *ar/s for Prou!hon.s (o"$'a( !e%$'es+ Natura((y, su'h rea!ers as were not ta/en-$n by the #ara!e of (o"$'a( r$"our, were so*et$*es$n'($ne! to !oubt Prou!hon.s "oo! fa$th+ 6hey #o$nte! out ;$t was not %ery har!< 'ontra!$'t$ons an!$n'ons$sten'$es+ r$t$'s on the (eft thou"ht h$s a!o#t$on of the ro(e of the 'an!$! fr$en! ane#ress$on of s#(een as we(( as of $nte((e'tua( !$sa"ree*ent) 'r$t$'s on the r$"ht thou"ht he was, $nanother sense, a tra$tor to the wor/ers by f$(($n" the* w$th ha(f-ba/e! an! 'h$*er$'a( $!eas wh$'h!$stra'te! the$r attent$on fro* #ra't$'ab(e refor*s+ oth 'an f$n! a##arent(y 'on'(us$%e tets, butProu!hon was both honest an! !$s$ntereste!, on(y he ha! *$sta/en h$s ab$($t$es) he was not a

#h$(oso#her) he was not an e'ono*$st) he was a *ora($st, for who* the obe't of a(( so'$a( an!e'ono*$' arran"e*ents was not the $n'reas$n" of the (e%e( of *ater$a( we((-be$n", but the 'reat$onof a so'$ety $n wh$'h the "reat (aw of the un$%erse, the subor!$nat$on of a(( en!s to the ru(e of

Just$'e, e*bo!$e! $n $n!e#en!ent an! e4ua( *en ;or, *ore str$'t(y, hea!s of fa*$($es< was, at (ast,after thousan!s of years of error, to be "$%en free #(ay+ 6h$s #reo''u#at$on w$th r$"ht sa%e!Prou!hon fro* !$ff$'u(t$es wh$'h assa$(e! other so'$a($st (ea!ers, for he !$! not #ro*$se to $n'rease

#ro!u't$on+ H$s ar"u*ents a"a$nst 'a#$ta($s* were not ar"u*ents, base! on $ts $neff$'$en'y, but on$ts $nust$'e+ O''as$ona((y, he !oes *a/e o#t$*$st$' #ro#he'$es) when he $s try$n" to refute 2a(thus,he *a/es bo(! assert$ons of the "reater ra#$!$ty of the "rowth of #ro!u't$on 'o*#are! w$th hu*anfert$($ty, but h$s heart $s not $n su'h !e*onstrat$ons+ He be($e%e!, that the hu*an ra'e was !est$ne!to wor/ har!er an! har!er an!, $n!ee!, $t was th$s $n'reas$n" bur!en of (abour that wou(! so(%e the

#o#u(at$on #rob(e*s by *a/$n" 'ont$nen'e easy to the weary (abourers+ 6he *ost that Prou!hon#ro*$ses $s the !$%ers$on to usefu( wor/ of the so(!$ers, off$'$a(s an! other un#ro!u't$%e *e*bersof so'$ety *a!e ne'essary by the #resent state syste* an!, $n a!!$t$on, the e4ua($sat$on of #ro#ertyr$"hts w$(( for'e the $!(e r$'h $nto #ro!u't$%e a't$%$t$es+ 6h$s $s so*eth$n" but not *u'h, for e%enwhen the r$'h an! the$r #o($t$'a( #aras$tes ha%e "ot off the ba'/s of the #oor, those ba'/s w$(( st$(( be

bent by the natura( ne'ess$ty of un'eas$n" to$(+ 9(thou"h Prou!hon ta(/e! a "reat !ea( about the!$%$s$on of (abour, he was rea((y !oubtfu( of $ts e'ono*$' eff$'a'y+ He th$n/s that the (abour sa%e!$s *ere(y !$%erte! $nto other e4ua((y un#ro!u't$%e 'hanne(s, an! th$s $s the bas$s of h$s #ers$stentobe't$on to free tra!e+ On h$s own #r$n'$#(es, he was boun! to o##ose free tra!e+ One of the few(e"$t$*ate a't$%$t$es of the state was to e%en out the !$fferent fa'tors of #ro!u't$on+ 6he owner of ahun!re! a'res $n the eau'e shou(! not thereby be a((owe! to ru$n the owner of a hun!re! a'res $nthe anta() an!, st$(( (ess, shou(! the #ro!u'ers of &ran'e be ra$ne! by 9*er$'an wheat an!7an'ash$re 'otton+ ut Prou!hon $s not 'ontent w$th th$s a##($'at$on of h$s e4ua($tar$an theor$es+ 9t

the en! of h$s ($fe he tr$e! to show that the ob!en 6reaty was who((y !e'e#t$%e, be'ause e%en $f the#r$'e of 'otton "oo!s went !own, the #r$'e of w$ne wou(! "o u# e4ua((y> or!eau an! 2an'hesterwou(! benef$t at the e#ense of the 'otton s#$nners of Rouen an! of the &ren'h wor/er who wou(!no (on"er be ab(e to affor! h$s nat$%e w$ne+ :$thout "o$n" %ery far $nto the ar"u*ent, $t $s easy tosee that Prou!hon !$! not un!erstan! or refuse! to 'ons$!er what the free tra!e 'ase was an! hewou(! ha%e been we(( a!%$se! not to #(un"e $nto a 'ontro%ersy for wh$'h he was $((-f$tte!+ If h$s #a*#h(ets an! h$s tr$a( brou"ht Prou!hon fa*e, they !$! not br$n" h$* fortune+ :$th as$*#($'$ty wh$'h ne%er (eft h$*, he thou"ht that the "o%ern*ent an! so'$a( or!er wh$'h he ha! beenassa$($n" wou(! "$%e h$* a ob+ Nee!(ess to say, the two off$'$a( #osts he ha! ho#e! for, were notwaste! on so $n'orr$"$b(e an a"$tator) an! he ha! to shou(!er the !ebts of h$s unfortunate #r$nt$n"

bus$ness, the bur!en of h$s #arents w$thout an $n'o*e w$th the en!$n" of h$s C Fo a year fro* h$s

three years s'ho(arsh$#+ He ha! ne%er been so #oor as he was ust after he ha! be'o*e fa*ous+ Hefoun! an e*#(oyer $n a u!"e who ha! a !es$re to w$n a re#utat$on as a 'r$*$no(o"$st an! for who*Prou!hon was to furn$sh $nfor*at$on an! $!eas+ It was not a !$"n$f$e! #ost, but he thou"ht he 'ou(!


12/31

s*u""(e h$s $!eas $nto the wor/ of the e*$nent(y res#e'tab(e u!"e+ E%en a u!"e 'ou(! see throu"hth$s tr$'/, for Prou!hon, $n h$s 2a'h$a%e(($an *o*ents, ha! a *ar/e! rese*b(an'e to the %$((a$n of*e(o!ra*a who h$sses beh$n! h$s han!, .I !on.t *ean a wor! of what I a* te(($n" th$s s$*#(eton+.6he 'o((aborat$on an! the $n'o*e 'a*e to an en!, but Prou!hon was now !ee# $n the wr$t$n" of a"reat #h$(oso#h$'a( wor/ of wh$'h he ha!, $n a!%an'e, the h$"hest #oss$b(e o#$n$on, see$n" h$*se(fas another Newton+ He ha! "ot r$! of h$s #r$nt$n" bus$ness at a (oss of C Aoo, a terr$b(e bur!en of

!ebt for one $n h$s #os$t$on an! h$s ($%e($hoo! was a *ost ur"ent #rob(e*+ 9n o(! s'hoo( fr$en! too/h$* $nto h$s f$r*, 3auth$er rothers) the bus$ness was that of trans#ort$n" 'oa( on the Rhone-Saonesyste* an! Prou!hon be'a*e an e#ert on r$%er trans#ortat$on, an!, $n h$s own eyes, a *aster of

bus$ness *etho!+ 9s was usua( w$th h$*, a(( h$s e#er$en'e was wor/e! $nto h$s #h$(oso#hy+ Itre$nfor'e! h$s be($ef that other re%o(ut$onar$es who /new noth$n" of boo/-/ee#$n" were unworthyof attent$on, for boo/-/ee#$n" by !oub(e entry a##($e! to so'$ety was the so(ut$on of a(( so'$a(

#rob(e*s) so ar$th*et$'a( ar"u*ents now be"$n to 'o*e $n at su$tab(e an! unsu$tab(e *o*ents+3auth$er.s bus$ness was be"$nn$n" to suffer fro* the 'o*#et$t$on of ra$(ways) an! Prou!hon be"anto wr$te on ra$(way e'ono*$'s+ 6heor$sts *$"ht ta(/ about sa%$n"s $n t$*e an! *oney, but he /new,that $f $t were not for the !oub(e-!ea($n" of the "o%ern*ent un!er the $nf(uen'e of the s#e'u(ators,the 'ana(s an! r$%ers of &ran'e wou(! ho(! the$r own an! !e#art*ents wh$'h ha! r$%er

'o**un$'at$ons $n the$r terr$tory wou(! not ha%e the$r %este! $nterests ru$ne! by the se(f$sh "ree! ofthe other !e#art*ents wh$'h 'are! noth$n" for the bar"e*en or ste%e!ores of 7yons, $f on(y they'ou(! "et the$r "oo!s 'arr$e! 'hea#(y an! 4u$'/(y fro* Par$s to 2arse$((es> It $s !$ff$'u(t to !e'$!e $fhe !eteste! ra$(ways *ore for be$n" so often un!er the 'ontro( of Sa$nt-S$*on$sts ;who were a(soJews


13/31

#os$t$ons of the two *en were w$!e(y a#art+ &or Prou!hon, so'$a($s* was #r$*ar$(y a so(ut$on for*ora( #rob(e*, the !e($%eran'e of the $n!$%$!ua( fro* the fetters $*#ose! on h$* by the $n!ustr$a(syste*) he was not, an! ne%er #reten!e! to be, 'o**un$st+ &or 2ar, there were no abso(ute *ora(truths wh$'h ha! e$ste! fro* the be"$nn$n" of t$*e an! wh$'h the &ren'h Re%o(ut$on ha! re%ea(e!)the fun!a*enta( for'e was the or"an$sat$on of the *etho!s of #ro!u't$on+ 9 '(ash between the*ater$a($st an! the s#$r$tua($st %$ews of h$story was $ne%$tab(e+ In any 'ase, Prou!hon, for a(( h$s

#retens$ons, was not a syste* bu$(!er, he re#eate!, $n %ar$ous for*s, what he 'ons$!ere! a fewfun!a*enta( truths, but he re'o$(e! fro* a new ortho!oy, es#e'$a((y one 'o*$n" fro* anothersour'e an! an$*ate! by another s#$r$t+ efore he bro/e w$th 2ar, he a##ea(e! to h$* .to "$%e anea*#(e of a (earne! an! fores$"hte! to(eran'e ++ !on.t (et us #ose as a#ost(es of a new re($"$on, e%enof the re($"$on of (o"$', the re($"$on of reason+. On these ter*s, he thou"ht $t #oss$b(e to 'o-o#eratew$th 2ar, an! he w$(($n"(y awa$te! 2ar.s 'r$t$'$s*s of h$s boo/+ .I a* w$(($n" to a''e#t the ro!fro* your han!s, $f there $s reason for $t, an! w$th "oo! "ra'e, wa$t$n" for *y re%en"e+. 6he ro! !$!!es'en!, but not on a "ratefu( %$'t$*>

2ar.s 'r$t$'$s* too/ the for* of a (on", ab(e, host$(e an! an"ry tra't 'a((e! The %overt# of%hiloso(h#+ Prou!hon wou(! not ha%e been Prou!hon -or a hu*an be$n" - $f he ha! re*a$ne!#ass$%e un!er th$s assau(t+ 2ar was st$(( obs'ure, ;twenty years (ater, for Prou!hon.s f$rst

b$o"ra#her, Sa$nt-eu%e, he ha! re*a$ne! obs'ure


14/31

as*ue! as the or$"$n of e%$(+ 6he refusa(, or $nab$($ty, to un!erstan! what the '(ass$'a( e'ono*$stswere !r$%$n" at, *a/es (on" #assa"es *ere %erb$a"e+ 6here $s the 'usto*ary assau(t on ra$(ways an!the usua( #h$(o(o"y, $n"en$ous(y !efen!e! to er"*ann, who thou"ht $t $rre(e%ant - an!, as

#h$(o(o"y, ba!+ ut $f Prou!hon.s "en$us $s often h$!!en, $t so*et$*es f(ashes out+ He w$ns a few%erba(, $f not substant$a(, %$'tor$es o%er h$s anta"on$sts) an! there are *o*entary tr$u*#hs of h$s$rony+ .:hat nee! ha%e we now of the !$etary ru(es of the hur'h 6han/s to taes, a(( the year $s

7ent for the wor/er) an! h$s Easter !$nner $s not e4ua( to the $sho#.s 3oo! &r$!ay 'o((at$on+. utthere were #eo#(e who* the boo/ $*#resse! an! e%ents were soon to *a/e of $ts author, an a'tor,$nstea! of *ere(y an obser%er+

&H'T!

The !eol-tionar% Leader

PROUDHON ha! "rown *ore an! *ore !$s'ontente! w$th h$s ob) $t /e#t h$* away fro* Par$s, $n7yons an! tra%e(($n" roun! the #ro%$n'es+ E%en at the best of t$*es he was not easy to "et on w$th+.I fe(t,. he wrote to er"*ann, .so*eth$n" that was unsu$tab(e an!, abo%e a((, $n the way they 'arr$e!$t on.) so, $n O'tober, 18AB, he sett(e! $n Par$s, ho#$n" to *a/e a #(a'e for h$*se(f, to start anews#a#er, The %eo(le, wh$'h .w$(( be the f$rst a't of the e'ono*$' re%o(ut$on, the #(an of 'a*#a$"nof wor/ a"a$nst 'a#$ta(++++I ho#e the e!$t$n" w$(( be as or$"$na( as the #os$t$on $s e'e#t$ona(+. He*a!e h$s #re#arat$ons, ba!(y sha/en by the !eath of h$s *other,.worn out, ($/e *y father, by a"e,!$ff$'u(t$es, to$(, wear$ness++++I 'annot a''usto* *yse(f to the $!ea that nobo!y 'ares about *e, that

*y o(! *other $s "one+. the te*#erature of the #o($t$'a( batt(e was r$s$n") but Prou!hon (oo/e! onthe #ar($a*entary batt(e w$th s'orn+ .6he best th$n" that 'ou(! ha##en for the &ren'h #eo#(e, wou(!be the throw$n" of a hun!re! *e*bers of the o##os$t$on $nto the Se$ne w$th *$((stones roun! the$rne'/s+++++6hey are worth a hun!re! t$*es (ess than the 'onser%at$%es, for they are hy#o'r$tes $nto the

bar"a$n+. ut th$s was not the so(ut$on that was foun!) for, on &ebruary A, the bour"eo$s *onar'hyfe((, w$th (ess res$stan'e an! far (ess !$"n$ty than ha! the e(!er ($ne of the ourbons+ 6he s'e#t$'a(obser%er of #o($t$'s ha! ta/en #art $n the o%erthrow+ Prou!hon ha! "one out when the f$"ht$n" wasta/$n" #(a'e an! ha! been 'a((e! on by &(o'on, one of the (ea!ers of the re%o(t, to ser%e there%o(ut$on w$th h$s tra!e+ He ha! set u# the *an$festo@ .$t$ens, 7ou$s-Ph$($##e $s ha%$n" you*ur!ere! as !$! har(es G) sen! h$* to reo$n re%o(ut$on tr$u*#h) an! he was f$((e! w$th 'onte*#t

both for the "o%ern*ent wh$'h ha! 'o((a#se! so feeb(y an! for the (ea!ers of the re%o(t who were

be$n" 'arr$e! to #ower on a wa%e of #o#u(ar fee($n"+ 6he wor/ers were a(( r$"ht, "ay, bra%e, o/$n",honest+ ut, on the *orn$n" after the %$'tory, when a(( Par$s ha! (ost $ts hea! w$th enthus$as*,Prou!hon /e#t h$s+ 6he re%o(ut$on ha! no #(an+ .It *ust be "$%en a !$re't$on an! a(rea!y I see $t

#er$sh$n" $n a f(oo! of s#ee'hes+. Howe%er, .I shou(! #refer to be($e%e that *y #o$nt of %$ew $s fa(se,rather than a''use e%erybo!y e(se of fo((y+. Prou!hon was no a *o!e( of #ru!en'e an! , when hewas en"a"e! $n 'onf($'t, he often (ost a(( sense of #ro#ort$on, but to ha%e wr$tten th$s !$a"nos$s ofthe Re%o(ut$on of &ebruary A, on &ebruary 5, was an aston$sh$n" feat of #enetrat$on for $t wasProu!hon who was r$"ht - an! the na$%e enthus$asts who were wron"+

6he ear(y $((us$ons were natura( enou"h) the bour"eo$s *onar'h ha! "one, w$th har!(y a show ofres$stan'e, why shou(! the bour"eo$s$e $tse(f not be as eas$(y !$s#(a'e! 9s for the so'$ety wh$'h

shou(! be bu$(t on the ru$ns of the o(! or!er, were there not #(enty of a'ute 'r$t$'s an! bo(!'onstru'tors to be #resse! $nto ser%$'e :as there not 7ou$s (an' :ere there not the &our$er$stsan! the Sa$nt -S$*on$sts, an! abet$ans :as there not Prou!hon who ha! #ro*$se! to #ro%$!e a


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so(ut$on of the 'ontra!$'t$ons of the o(! syste* So*e of the wor/ers re*e*bere! Prou!hon) they'a((e! on h$* an! #resse! h$* $nto ser%$'e on &ebruary F) two !ays after the fa(( of the *onar'hy+6hey offere! to #ro%$!e #a#er an! a #r$nter+ Prou!hon 'onsente!) he was to ha%e h$s ourna( at (astan! he was (aun'he! on the !an"erous 'areer of a #arty (ea!er) he ha! now both to #rea'h h$s!o'tr$ne an! "et $t a''e#te!+ He stoo! as a 'an!$!ate for the Doubs ;&ran'he-o*t< an! for Par$s+He a##ea(e! to 7ou$s (an', who re#resente! so'$a($s* $n the Pro%$s$ona( 3o%ern*ent, $n an effort

to f$n! 'o**on "roun!+ Des#$te h$s a%owe! $ntent$ons of 'on'$($at$n" *asters an! wor/ers, he wasnot e(e'te! - an! 7ou$s (an' snubbe! h$*+ He ha! for the *o*ent, to #rea'h h$s !o'tr$ne throu"h#a*#h(ets an! throu"h h$s news#a#er, The $e(resentative of the %eo(le+ :hat !$! he #rea'h

6he essent$a( !o'tr$ne $n Prou!hon $s the $!ent$f$'at$on of Just$'e w$th e4ua($ty an! the 'oer'$on ofe'ono*$' ($fe $nto a''or! w$th Just$'e+ 6he ne'ess$ty an! #oss$b$($ty of e4ua($ty was ta/en asob%$ous(y true) a(( e'ono*$' reason$n" hadto en! w$th e4ua($ty+ So, for the theory of %a(ue,Prou!hon subst$tutes a theory of the ust #r$'e+ If the ortho!o e'ono*$sts say that %a(ue $s notf$e!, but $s a re(at$on between su##(y an! !e*an!, they are 'on!e*ne! out of the$r own *ouths,for what *ean$n" 'an .%a(ue. ha%e $f $t $s not 'erta$n Roo* $s (eft for the .h$""($n" of the *ar/et.,

but, for Prou!hon, th$s $s no *eta#hor) he rea((y *eans the h$""($n" of the *ar/et, the 'haffer$n" $n

the %$((a"e s4uare between the *an se(($n" a 'ow an! the *an se(($n" fo!!er+ 6he ust #r$'e $srevealedby th$s h$""($n") the two #art$es !$s'o%er, by h$""($n", what $s the rea( #r$'e of a 'ow an!of fo!!er $n ter*s of ea'h other) $t w$(( ($e between the h$"hest !e*an! an! the (owest offer $n ea'h'ase, but the ran"e of %ar$at$on $s s*a((, for %a(ue $s base! on the 'ost of #ro!u't$on+ It $s !oubtfu( $fProu!hon a##re'$ate! a(( the a*b$"u$t$es h$!!en un!er h$s .'ost of #ro!u't$on., but he saw so*e ofthe*+ 6he 'ost of #ro!u't$on $s that of the a%era"e #ro!u'er, a #r$'e f$e! by the #ra't$'e of thetra!e+ How that 'usto*ary #r$'e $s to be f$e! w$thout .*ar/et-anar'hy. we are not '(ear(y to(!+ 9hea(thy so'$ety $s that $n wh$'h a(( #ro!u't$on $s or"an$e! on a bas$s of mutualit#, when #ro!u'ersa"ree to be 'onsu*ers of the "oo!s #ro!u'e! by ea'h other+ :hen that o''urs, a(( #r$'es w$(( be.'onst$tute!.) the #resent anar'hy, $n wh$'h a(( "oo!s are #r$'e! $n *oney w$(( be en!e!) an! the*ono#o(y of *oney, an! of 're!$t, wh$'h $s the stron"ho(! of 'ounter-re%o(ut$onary 'a#$ta($s*, w$((

fa((+Prou!hon.s $**e!$ate obe't was to #ersua!e the wor/ers - an! the "o%ern*ent - that $t was easy

to br$n" about th$s state of affa$rs, to "$%e the re%o(ut$on a rea( so'$a( 'ontent+ :hat $s nee!e! $s'hea#, or rather , free 're!$t+ It $s $*#oss$b(e to un!erstan! Prou!hon.s %$ews on th$s 4uest$onw$thout /now$n" what he be($e%e! about *oney+ 2oney ;"o(! an! s$(%er< were the on(y'o**o!$t$es whose %a(ue was'onst$tute!) th$s "a%e the$r #ossessors an unfa$r a!%anta"e o%er the

#ro!u'ers of un'onst$tute! %a(ues+ It $s !oubtfu( how far Prou!hon rea($se! that "o(! an! s$(%er ha!a %ar$ab(e #r$'e ($/e a(( other "oo!s+ He ta(/s of a ha##y t$*e $f "o(! an! s$(%er were as #(ent$fu( as$ron an! 'o##er an! so no *ore %a(uab(e, but $t $s !oubtfu( $f he saw the $*#($'at$ons of th$s re*ar/+9 #r$'e (e%e( was not $nter#rete! by h$* as an as#e't of the #r$'e of *oney+ 2ar ha! as/e! h$* $fhe rea((y be($e%e! that ever#thing'ou(! be !ear at the sa*e t$*e an! $t see*s #robab(e that he !$!>3o(! an! "oo!s 'ou(! bothbe !ear+ In for*, at any rate, Prou!hon was a fanat$'a( !ef(at$on$st+ He

be($e%e! that there was so*e so'$a( "a$n $n an abso(ute(y un$for* an! sy**etr$'a( re!u't$on of#r$'es+ 9(( h$s ($fe he thou"ht of (ow #r$'es, not as a s$"n of abun!an'e, but as a "oo! $n the*se(%es)the Restorat$on be'a*e a "o(!en a"e $n retros#e't, be'ause #r$'es ha! been so (ow+ .Rea( wa"es. $s a'on'e#t$on wh$'h $s se(!o* tra'eab(e $n Prou!hon.s wor/+ 6he f$rst *easure he a!%o'ate!, was ar$"orous !ef(at$on of a(( 'osts, not to *eet wor(! 'o*#et$t$on, not to sh$ft a bur!en fro* one '(ass toanother, but s$*#(y to *a/e the *ea"re su##(y of *oney "o further+ 6here was to be a "enera(re!u't$on of $nterest 'har"es, the ban/-rate, sa(ar$es an! wa"es+ Prou!hon thou"ht th$s #ro"ra**e4u$te #ra't$'ab(e, an! $n so*e for*s of $t, he ar"ue! that no one wou(! (ose, that the tota( resu(twou(! be to ha%e e%erybo!y where they starte! - e'e#t that a(( "oo!s wou(! be 'hea#er+ :hen he

a!%o'ate! th$s, $n h$s !ebate w$th 6h$ers, the (atter as/e!, natura((y enou"h, what was the "oo! of"o$n" to a(( that troub(e In fa't, of 'ourse, as 6h$ers #o$nte! out, Prou!hon.s s'he*es wou(! notresu(t $n a un$for* re!u't$on, but $n a re!u't$on of the returns fro* one /$n! of #ro#erty, that base!


16/31

on f$e!-$nterest 'har"es@ $t was f$e! $nterest, not #ro#erty as su'h, that Prou!hon, at th$s *o*entof h$s 'areer, re"ar!e! as theft+ 2ar, ast$at, 6h$ers, :a(ras, a(( $n %a$n #o$nte! out that $nterestwas on(y an as#e't of #ro#erty) that $t was $nse#arab(e fro* #ro#erty+ Prou!hon was a!a*ant,$nterest was wron" be'ause on(y (abour 'ou(! 'reate wea(th) the owner of 'a#$ta( !$! no wor/ whenhe (ent $t, so that any $nterest on $t was sto(en fro* the borrower of the 'a#$ta(+

6here are two '(asses of wr$ters on 're!$t, those who be($e%e that a b$r! $n the han! $s a(waysworth a b$r! #(ussomething$n the bush) an! those who re"ar! th$s su##ose! a$o* as asu#erst$t$on+ Prou!hon be(on"e! to the se'on! '(ass+ &or h$*, (en!$n" was no har!sh$#, you on(y(ent so*eth$n" for wh$'h you ha! no $**e!$ate use an! you "ot $t ba'/ $nta't after the #er$o!a"ree! u#on+ :here, then, was the #r$%at$on for wh$'h ast$at an! the other #rea'hers of ortho!oysa$! you ha! to be 'o*#ensate! 9t t$*es, #resse! $n for*a( 'ontro%ersy, Prou!hon hes$tate! an!a((owe! %ar$ous 'har"es to be *a!e for (oans, but $nterest as su'h was wron"+ It was one of theerrors of the hur'h that ha%$n" on'e "ras#e! the *ora( an! e'ono*$' truth that $nterest was wron",she ha! wa%ere! an! tr$e! to *a/e !$st$n't$ons between ban/$n" an! usury) there was no!$st$n't$on, a(( $nterest for the use of *oney or "oo!s was usury+ In Prou!hon.s *oney *ar/et, on(y!e*an! 'ounte!) usury wou(! sto#+ 6hat (en!$n" *$"ht sto# too) an! that a 're!$t stru'ture, base!

on (oans wh$'h were no #r$%at$on to the (en!er, *$"ht be rather $na!e4uate for the nee!s of so'$ety!$! not o''ur to h$*, for the t$*e e(e*ent was !$sre"ar!e!+ He see*s, at *o*ents, to re"ar! the$*#ortan'e atta'he! to $**e!$ate #ossess$on as a 'ounter-re%o(ut$onary su#erst$t$on an! when heref(e'ts that what #re%ents a far*er who, o%er th$rty years, #ays the tota( %a(ue of h$s far* $n rent,fro* thereby be'o*$n" $ts owner, $s the $ns$sten'e of the #ro#r$etor of the (an! on *oney !own, h$s$n!$"nat$on $s at (east as *u'h !$re'te! at the stu#$!$ty, as at the 'u#$!$ty of the (an!(or!> 6o !e'(arethat a(( rent shou(! be !ee*e! #art #ur'hase an! that the rent of *oney 'ou(! thus be a%o$!e!see*e! s$*#(e enou"h+ It was th$s $((us$on that #ro#erty 'ou(! be (eft $nta't an! #re%ente! fro*ha%$n" $ts fru$ts that $nfur$ate! 2ar, who 'ou(! f$n! noth$n" worse to say of Prou!hon, as ane'ono*$' 'ontro%ers$a($st, than that e%en ast$at was too *u'h for h$*+

6he ban/-rate !e'(are! by the an/ of &ran'e see*e! to Prou!hon, not an ea*#(e of the "enera(

#ower of 'a#$ta(, but a resu(t of the (e"a( *ono#o(y "$%en the ban/+ 7et the state or!er the re!u't$onof the ban/-rate an! of a(( f$e! 'har"es to one #er'ent or ha(f #er'ent an! the usurers wou(! be!efeate!+ :ho, he as/e!, wou(! borrow at f$%e #er'ent $f they 'ou(! "et *oney at a ha(f #er'ent $fthey 'ou(! "et *oney at a ha(f #er'ent, th$s be$n" a 'har"e *a!e *ere(y to 'o%er boo/-/ee#$n"e#enses :ho wou(! (en! at that #r$'e when by buy$n" #ro#erty, $nstea! of t$t(es to *oney, they'ou(! e%a!e th$s (e"$s(at$on, was a 4uest$on he !$! not answer> If he !$! not answer the 4uest$onwho wou(! (en! *oney, he !$! answer the 4uest$on, how wou(! 're!$t be #ro%$!e! y *utua($ty+6he *ono#o(y of 'a#$ta( 'ou(! be bro/en $f a(( #ro!u'ers $"nore! the *onetary syste* an!e'han"e! the "oo!s at ust #r$'es, "uarantee! by *utua( 'onf$!en'e+ 9s t$*e was un$*#ortant, the/now(e!"e that, at so*e t$*e $n the future, you wou(! "et a ba" of f(our $n return for the $**e!$ate!e($%ery of three #a$rs of shoes, was a(( that you 'ou(! want+ If a(( '(asses of #ro!u'ers were un$te!$n these *utua( a"ree*ents, *oney wou(! be unne'essary an! the entr$es on the boo/s of the ban/wou(! ta/e the$r #(a'e+ oo/-/ee#$n" w$thout *oney, that was the #ana'ea+

He !e*an!e!, therefore, that the "o%ern*ent shou(! !e'ree that .s$n'e !$re't e'han"e w$thout*oney an! w$thout $nterest, $s both #art of natura( r$"ht an! of #ub($' ut$($ty., $nterest shou(! be 'ut!own an! free 're!$t estab($she!+ &a$(ure to rea($se both the !es$rab$($ty an! #ra't$'ab$($ty of th$srefor*, was a s$"n of w$'/e!ness, or of stu#$!$ty, or of both+ 2ost (eft-w$n" (ea!ers fe(( un!er th$s

ban+ So*e were 'o**un$sts an! so ene*$es of ($berty an! the fa*$(y) others were absorbe! $n *ere#o($t$'s, $n un$%ersa( suffra"e an! other !e%$'es for ren!er$n" har*(ess what was ne'essar$(yhar*fu(, the author$tar$an state+ In #ursu$t of these 'h$*eras, they nee!(ess(y a($enate! the *$!!(e'(asses who 'ou(! be shown that they ha! as *u'h $nterest $n the abo($t$on of the 're!$t *ono#o(y

as any wor/er+ In the he't$' at*os#here of !$e s#r$n" an! su**er of 18A8, when the o(! or!ersee*e! to be 'o((a#s$n" e%erywhere, Prou!hon, ($/e *any others, a'4u$re! a fo((ow$n"+ 9t a by-e(e't$on $n June, he was e(e'te! to the asse*b(y fro* Par$s w$th a %ery han!so*e *aor$ty+ He now


17/31

ha! to #(ay the #art of the states*an, an! h$s 'on!u't $n the net few *onths a($enate! h$* fro**ost of h$s #o($t$'a( a(($es, an! so !ro%e h$* further towar!s h$s natura( "oa(, anar'hy+

y the t$*e Prou!hon entere! the asse*b(y the re%o(ut$on was ob%$ous(y ebb$n"+ 6he 'rush$n" ofthe re%o(t of the wor/ers $n the !ays of June showe! that bour"eo$s so'$ety was stron"er than ha!see*e! #oss$b(e $n 2ar'h+ 6he 'ountrys$!e ha! sent an $**ense 'onser%at$%e *aor$ty to theasse*b(y, an! rea't$on "rew stron"er e%ery !ay+ Prou!hon, !es#$te so*e rash wor!s, was a"a$nsttry$n" to re*e!y th$s state of affa$rs by ar*e! re%o(t, but he was h$*se(f a s'are'row to r$"ht-th$n/$n" #eo#(e+ 9 #(ay was #ut on 'a((e!%ro(ert# is Theft, an! Prou!hon was !a$(y abuse! as a*onster, $ns#$re! by the De%$(+ H$s news#a#er was su##resse! a"a$n an! a"a$n, an! Prou!hon was a($ab$($ty to the (eft-w$n" #art$es who were now try$n" to sa%e so*eth$n" out of the wre'/+ :henProu!hon, on Ju(y ?1, !e'(are! h$s #o($'y to the asse*b(y, that bo!y %ote! that .the #re#os$t$on of$t$en Prou!hon $s an o!$ous atta'/ on the #r$n'$#(es of #ub($' *ora(s.+ 6here were on(y two!$sent$ent %otes, that of Prou!hou h$*se(f an! of 3re##o+ 6he r$ft w$th the (eft-w$n" (ea!ers'ont$nue! to "row+ Prou!hou refuse! to %ote a"a$nst the rea't$onary *$n$stry of wh$'h h$s o(!

#rote'tor, $%$en, was a *e*ber+ He fou"ht a !ue( w$th &($ Pyat, an! wou(! ha%e ha! to f$"htothers ha! he not refuse! to be boun! by the 'on%ent$ons of &ren'h #o($t$'s+ He was a (ea!er of the

etre*e (eft se't$on wh$'h bro/e u# #arty un$ty $n the #res$!ent$a( e(e't$on by runn$n" Ras#a$(a"a$nst 7e!ru-Ro(($n+ Out of se%en *$(($on %otes 'ast, Ras#a$( "ot th$rty thousan!+ 6he un/nown7ou$s Na#o(eon ona#arte, who* Prou!bon ha! tr$e! to $n!o'tr$nate, was e(e'te!, an! Prou!hon

#oure! out abuse on the new hea! of &ran'e who* *any 'r$t$'s fe(t he ha! !one *u'h to e(e't+ 6heasse*b(y was not s(ow to ta/e $ts 'han'e to re#ro%e se!$t$on $n the #erson of the ene*y of so'$ety,an! $t a((owe! Prou!hon to be tr$e! for h$s atta'/s on the hea! of the state+ He was senten'e! tothree years. $*#r$son*ent an! three thousan! fran's f$ne+ He ha! ust starte! h$s .an/ of thePeo#(e., but the 'han'e of try$n" out h$s theor$es was (ost+ He es'a#e! to e("$u*, but was rashenou"h to return to Par$s, was !enoun'e!, an! sent to #r$son+

H$s ($fe as an a't$%e #o($t$'$an was at an en!) an! he ha! the (e$sure to th$n/ out h$s syste* an!!$"est the e#er$en'e of the #ast year+ He ha! a(so a new t$e to ta/e the #(a'e (eft %a'ant by h$s

*other, for he ha! *arr$e! a #oor sea*stress, Eu#hras$e P$"ar!, .w$th #re*e!$tat$on, w$thout#ass$on, to be a father of a fa*$(y, to ha%e a 'o*#(ete ($fe, an! to ha%e by *e, $n the %orte $ntowh$'h I ha%e 'ast *yse(f, an $*a"e of *aterna( s$*#($'$ty an! *o!esty.+ H$s w$fe was a f$t'o*#an$on for an a"$tator) $((-e!u'ate!, but an e'e((ent *ana"er an! reso(ute $n a(( !$ff$'u(t$es+ He*arr$e! outs$!e the hur'h, a "reat tr$u*#h for h$*, for h$s w$fe.s father was a roya($st of theetre*e r$"ht+ 6he $n'on%en$en'es of su'h a 'onne't$on were to be *a!e e%$!ent when h$s father-$n-(aw was senten'e! to two years. $*#r$son*ent for a roya($st 'ons#$ra'y after a tr$a(, of wh$'h the*ost $nterest$n" !o'u*ent was a #et$t$on to the Preten!er, the o*te !e ha*bor!, wr$tten byProu!hon) h$*se(f > It was, sa$! Prou!hon, a hoa, but by that t$*e ;185?


18/31


19/31

w$thout any nee! e%er to alienateany #art of $t) where h$s we((be$n" "rows $n!ef$n$te(y, w$thout h$se#er$en'$n", fro* so'$ety or fro* h$s fe((ow-'$t$ens, any $nury e$ther $n h$s #ro#erty or h$s wor/or $n h$s $n'o*e or $n h$s 'onne't$ons of $nterest or affe't$on w$th h$s /$n!.+

How was th$s #ara!$se to be rea'he! Not by the a$! of "o%ern*ent, that was 7ou$s (an'.s error+9 "o%ern*ent 'annot be #aterna( $f $t $s ($*$te!, for, as/s Prou!hon, .what father e%er thou"ht of a

bar"a$n w$th h$s fa*$(y++++ 6he author$ty whose seat $s $n the fa*$(y $s a *yst$'a( #r$n'$#(e, anter$oran! su#er$or to the w$(( of the #eo#(e 'on'erne!., but so'$ety has no su'h bas$s for $ts author$ty+ Onthe other han!, an un($*$te! author$ty $n the state $s $ne4ua($ty, tyranny++++.6he ru(e of 'ontra'tssubst$tute! for the ru(e of (aws wou(! 'onst$tute +++ the rea( so%ere$"nty of the #eo#(e, theREPU7I+. Prou!hon was 'ons'$ous that h$s fa$th $n 'ontra't was not un$%ersa((y share!+ .ou$*a"$ne that $t $s $*#oss$b(e to fu(f$( these 'on!$t$ons+ 6he so'$a( 'ontra't, when you 'ons$!er thefr$"htfu( nu*ber of re(at$ons $t ou"ht to re"u(ate +++ see* so*eth$n" ($/e s4uar$n" the '$r'(e or

#er#etua( *ot$on+ 6hat $s why, worn out w$th the f$"ht, you re(a#se $nto !es#ot$s* an! for'e+ + +Rea($se, howe%er, that $f the so'$a( 'ontra't 'an be 'on'(u!e! between two #ro!u'ers -an! who!oubts that, $n th$s s$*#(e for*, there $s a so(ut$on - $t 'an e4ua((y be 'on'(u!e! between *$(($onss$n'e the un!erta/$n" $s the sa*e, an! the nu*ber of s$"natures - wh$(e they *a/e $t *ore an! *ore

effe't$%e - !o not a!! an art$'(e Kto the a"ree*entL+ our a((e"e! $nab$($ty $s non-e$stent then) $t $sr$!$'u(ous an! *a/es you $ne'usab(e+.

3$%en the #ra't$'ab$($ty of a so'$ety so or"an$se!, $t *ust be un!erstoo! that the 'ontra'tua( bas$sof so'$ety !oes not 'reate r$"hts an! ob($"at$ons not set out $n the bon!+ 9(( th$s ta(/ about.asso'$at$on. $s !an"erous, for $t $*#($es that there $s a 'o**on w$(( $n the asso'$ates, that the bo!ythey 'reate has a ($fe of $ts own outs$!e the narrow obe'ts for wh$'h $t has been 'reate!+ ut su'htheor$es are 'on!u'$%e to tyranny+ 9 so'$ety for #ro!u't$on 'reates no bon! between $ts *e*bersouts$!e those $n!$s#ensab(e for the e'ono*$' a't$%$ty of the so'$ety+ 6he abso(ute $n!e#en!en'e ofea'h *e*ber *ust be obser%e!+ No so'$a( foo! $s worth the #r$'e of ($berty+ Natura((y, su'h a!o'tr$ne *a!e $ts author sus#$'$ous of tra!e un$ons, an! str$/es he abhorre! fro* the be"$nn$n" tothe en! of h$s ($fe+

9s was usua( w$th Prou!hon, he !estroye! before he bu$(t u#+ E%en $n the 'o*#arat$%e(y ear(ye#os$t$ons ;The General Idea of the $evolution4 The onfessions of a $evolutionar#


20/31

"o%ern*ent, e%en .!e*o'rat$'. "o%ern*ent an! ($berty+ 6he s*a((er the un$t, the "reater !e"ree offree!o* $n "o%ern*ent+ 6he "reat $n!ustr$a( un$ts shou(! ru(e the*se(%es an! a fe!era($s*, base!on the free 'oo#erat$on of the 'o**unes an! #ro%$n'es, wou(! so(%e the #ure(y "o%ern*enta(

#rob(e*s+ 6he 'o**une ;the #ar$sh or town< shou(! ru(e $tse(f, #ro%$!e for $ts own ust$'e an! $tsown e!u'at$ona( nee!s+ 6he $ntrus$on of the 'entra( "o%ern*ent $nto these f$e(!s shou(! 'ease+ 6he'o**une shou(! e%en #ro%$!e an! 'ontro( $ts own 'hur'h+ 6he "reat !ay of the Re%o(ut$on was the

!ay of the &e!erat$on, before Ja'ob$n abso(ut$s* ha! !$%erte! the Re%o(ut$on fro* the true #ath+ 6h$s enthus$as* for fe!era($s* affe'te! Prou!hon.s u!"*ent of 'urrent e%ents $n o!! ways+ He

b$tter(y re"rette! the anneat$on of Sa%oy to &ran'e+ :hat foo(s the Sa%eyar!s were to (etthe*se(%es be tr$'/e! by the$r '(er"y $nto %ot$n" for anneat$on to &ran'e when they *$"ht ha%e

be'o*e a free Sw$ss anton> In any 'ase, how !$s"ust$n" was the s#e'ta'(e of $'tor E**anue(aban!on$n" the (an! of h$s an'estors> Ita($an un$ty $s on(y a hoa for $s not the !estru't$on of 6us'annat$ona($ty a "reat !$saster 6he rea( "reatness of Ita(y $s on(y #oss$b(e $n a fe!era( state+ So we f$n!Prou!hen !efen!$n" the #roe'te! Ita($an 'onfe!erat$on a"a$nst the b($n! a!*$rers of 2a$n$ an!(a*ent$n" the !efeat of the ar*$es of $n" &ran'$s of Na#(es> 6he s#e'ta'(e of the "reatre%o(ut$onary foster$n" the sa*e sa're! f(a*e as ar!$na( 9ntone(($ an! .$n" o*ba.s 7aaron$.

was start($n" enou"h, but Prou!hon e%en asserte! that the 7o*bar! #easants were 4u$te $n!$fferentwhether the$r o##ressors were Ita($ans or 9ustr$ans+ In!ee!, 9ustr$a, by *o%$n" $n the #ath offe!era($s*, was *a/$n" her #(a'e $n the forefront of '$%$($sat$on se'ure, wh$(e Ita(y was "o$n" ba'/>

Rea( un$ty, he was to wr$te at the en! of h$s ($fe, .was $n $n%erse #ro#ort$on to s$e) so, $n e%ery'o((e't$%$ty, or"an$' #ower (oses $n $ntens$ty what $t "a$ns $n etens$on an! re'$#ro'a((y++++ 9##(yth$s (aw to #o($t$'s) a state $s essent$a((y one, $n!$%$s$b(e, $n%$o(ab(e@ the b$""er her #o#u(at$on an!area "row, the further for'e of 'ohes$on an! the un$ty of the "o%ern*ent w$(( !e'rease ++++ 7et

bran'hes be for*e!, (et 'o(on$es be for*e!+++ these w$(( for* a fe!era( bon! w$th the *other state -or e%en w$(( ha%e no 'onne't$on at a((+. S*a(( states or 'o**unes, !$re't(y ru(e! by free*en, whowere e'ono*$'a((y e4ua(, ea'h *aster of h$s tra!e or of h$s far* - an! of h$s fa*$(y, that wasProu!hon.s $!ea( 'o**un$ty) a 'o**un$ty ($/e the attant of h$s youth, but not un!er the "uns of

the '$ta!e( of esan'on nor at the !$s#osa( of a #refe't sent fro* Par$s> In a fe!era( or"an$sat$on forea'h 'ountry an! for Euro#e as a who(e, Prou!hon, at the en! of h$s ($fe, asserte! that he ha! foun!the so(ut$on of the #o($t$'a( #rob(e* he ha! #ose! $n 18A0+ He ha! !estroye! - he now bu$(t u#+ .I

be"an by anarch#, the 'on'(us$on of *y 'r$t$'$s* of the $!ea of "o%ern*ent, to f$n$sh by fe!erat$on,as the ne'essary base of Euro#ean #ub($' (aw an!, (ater on, of the or"an$sat$on of a(( states+ On a((th$s 4uest$on, $t $s easy to see that logic, rightan! libert#are !o*$nant) so that #ub($' or!er bas$n"$tse(f !$re't(y on the ($berty an! 'ons'$en'e of the '$t$en, anarch#, the absen'e of a(( restra$nt, of a((

#o($'e, author$ty, u!"es, (e"a( ru(es, et'+, $s !$s'o%ere! to be the 'orre(at$%e of the h$"hest so'$a(%$rtue an! the $!ea( of hu*an "o%ern*ent+ No !oubt we are far away fro* $t, an! $t w$(( ta/e'entur$es before we rea'h th$s $!ea() but our 79: $s to a!%an'e $n that !$re't$on+.

&H'T!

!"#DH"$ '$D /#0T&

:h$(e Prou!hon was for*u(at$n" h$s !o'tr$ne of anar'hy, he was wat'h$n" the #o($t$'a( s$tuat$onw$th $*#at$en'e an! w$th ho#e+ He was (u'/y to be $*#r$sone! when the 'onf($'t between the


21/31

asse*b(y an! the #res$!ent was 'o*$n" to a hea!+ He ha! not to 'hoose between a rea't$onary#ar($a*ent an! a #robab(y rea't$onary !$'tator+ Prou!hon *a!e no #o$nt of #o($t$'a( ortho!oy+ Heha! a(ways been s'e#t$'a( of un$%ersa( suffra"e, an! $f the s$"ht of *$(($ons of &ren'h*en #utt$n"the$r !est$n$es $n the han!s of 7ou$s Na#o(eon !$s"uste! h$*, $t !$! not sur#r$se h$*+ He ha! notthou"ht &ran'e rea!y for re%o(ut$on $n 18A8) now $t was ob%$ous she was not) but ha%$n" ha! to.u*# out of the f$rst-f(oor w$n!ow $nstea! of 'o*$n" !ownsta$rs one at a t$*e., Prou!hon was

w$(($n" to *a/e the best of a ba! ob+ He saw '(ear(y the !$(e**a $n wh$'h the Pres$!ent foun!h$*se(f+ On the one han!, 7ou$s Na#o(eon ha! a##ea(e! to the 'onser%at$%e e(e*ents as the sa%$ourof so'$ety) on the other, he ha! !$sso(%e! the asse*b(y wh$'h ha! ($*$te! the r$"ht to %ote, an! wassu##ose! to be #re#ar$n" a *onar'h$st restorat$on+ 9(( "o%ern*ents were a($/e to Prou!hon,!an"erous $nst$tut$ons, but the new one nee! not be any worse than the (ast+ 7et 7ou$s Na#o(eon"$%e #roof that he was w$th the Re%o(ut$on an! h$s a*b$t$on, h$s bro/en oath, an! the b(oo! ofDe'e*ber wou(! be for"$%en h$*+ 6hat #roof abo%e a((, (ay $n h$s re($"$ous #o($'y+ Prou!hon wasnow a *ost !eter*$ne! ant$-'(er$'a(+ In 18AB he ha! re#($e! to the r$tua( 4uest$on as/e! of h$*when he was a!*$tte! as a &ree*ason+ .:hat !oes *an owe to 3o!. by the start($n" answer .:ar.)

but not unt$( the 'o*b$nat$on of the hur'h w$th the 'onser%at$%es $n 18A8, !$! he reso(%e on war tothe !eath a"a$nst the '(er$'a( #arty+ 6here were, $n the Pr$n'e-Pres$!ent.s '$r'(e, *en as r$"orous(y

ant$-'(er$'a( as Prou!hon) notab(y Pr$n'e Na#o(eon+ 6hrou"h 'o**on fr$en!s, Prou!hon /e#t $ntou'h w$th the #r$n'e) he e%en %$s$te! h$* fro* t$*e to t$*e at the Pa(a$s Roya(, to the horror of thee$(es $n 7on!on an! russe(s, to who* the 'r$*e of the cou( d3etatwas $ne#$ab(e+ Prou!honrefuse! to (ea%e &ran'e) he refuse!, for $nstan'e, to ta/e refu"e $n Sar!$n$a+ .:ho the !e%$(,. heas/e!, .e#e'ts en($"hten*ent &ro* a"($ar$. He refuse! a *ore te*#t$n" offer, for 9(bertr$sbane, the #o#u(ar$ser of &our$er.s !o'tr$nes $n 9*er$'a, fr$en! of a(( new $!eas, an! father of2r+ Hearst.s 'h$ef (ea!erwr$ter, wante! to br$n" Prou!hon to New or/+ He was free $n h$s!enun'$at$ons of the a(($es of De'e*ber , the .sabre an! the ho(y-water s#r$n/(er.) but he be($e%e!he 'ou(! *a/e a bar"a$n w$th the new ru(ers of &ran'e+ He wou(! !e%ote h$*se(f e'(us$%e(y tos'$en'e .w$th $ts axioms, $ts determinations, $ts method, $ts own 'erta$nty, a s'$en'e wh$'h $s ne$ther*athe*at$'s nor ur$s#ru!en'e, nor anyth$n" that $s 'a((e! s'$en'e at #resent ++++ 9fter e'ono*$'s'$en'e a%hiloso(h# of "istor#+++ an!, (ater, a General %hiloso(h# ++++ 9(( th$s 'an be !one $n&ran'e, $n s#$te of !es#ot$s*+. Prou!hon ho#e!, abo%e a((, to "et #er*$ss$on to start a ourna( $nwh$'h he 'ou(! assa$( the '(er$'a(s an! $n!u'e the new re"$*e to *o%e to the (eft, but he was toonotor$ous an! not ta'tfu( enou"h to be worth 'on'$($at$n"+ H$s ho#es were !ashe! a"a$n an! a"a$n)he was to(! that the Jesu$ts were beh$n! the refusa( of #er*$ss$on) but he 'a*e to rea($se, s(ow(y,that h$s !ays as a ourna($st were o%er+ He ha! h$s ($%$n" to *a/e, an! he was fu(( of ($terary

#roe'ts, a*on" the* be$n" a"istor# of Democrac#, wh$'h re*a$ne! a fra"*ent+ In the *eant$*e,he #ut to"ether a #otbo$(er 'a((e! The .anual of the Stoc2 Exchange S(eculator+ Prou!hon usua((yha! the h$"hest o#$n$on of h$s boo/s wh$(e he was wr$t$n" the*, but "rew !$s$((us$one! after theywere #ub($she!) but he re%erse! th$s h$story $n the 'ase of the.anual+ 2ost of $t was the wor/ of

Du'hene, the for*er *ana"er of The %eo(le, but, as the boo/ so(! we((, Prou!hon #ut h$s ownna*e on the t$t(e-#a"e of the th$r! e!$t$on+ The .anual$s 'h$ef(y !e%ote! to !es'r$b$n" %ar$ous'o*#an$es then 4uote! on the Par$s ourse an! has a ($*$te! $nterest to-!ay, but Prou!hon was$n'a#ab(e of wr$t$n", or e%en of re%$s$n" anyth$n" an! not *ar/$n" $t w$th h$s #ersona($ty+ 6he2anua( $s a %ery 'hara'ter$st$' wor/+ Prou!hoh !$s#(ays h$s s'e#t$'$s* about ra$(ways) h$s !$s($/eof Sa$nt-S$*on$sto who are both 'a#$ta($sts an! Jews) h$s be($ef $n the $**ense #oss$b$($t$es of*utua($ty an! of the refor* of 're!$t) h$s host$($ty to the #oss$b$($t$es of *ono#o(y wor/$n" throu"hra$(way rebates, an! a rather #athet$'a((y o#t$*$st$' be($ef $n the future of 'o-o#erat$%e so'$et$es of

#ro!u't$on as a ste# towar!s a refor*e! so'$ety+ H$s$ailwa# $eformwas a %$"orous assau(t on the$*#er$a( #o($'y of 'reat$n" %este! $nterests $n the ra$(ways by "$%$n" 'on'ess$ons+ y (ea%$n" thera$(ways too *u'h free!o* $n f$$n" the$r 'har"es, they are #er*$tte! to ru$n water trans#ort an!

then to #(un!er the !efense(ess #ub($'+ He be($e%e!, howe%er, that the "rowth of ra$(ways wou(!(ea! to a !e'entra($sat$on of $n!ustry an! the !e'ay of the "reat towns - a #re!$'t$on $n the s#$r$t ofh$s *ost !$st$n"u$she! !$s'$#(e, ro#ot/$n+ In any 'ase when the ra$(ways ha! 'o*#(ete! the$r


22/31

!estu't$%e wor/, the o(! *etho!s of trans#ort wou(! 'o*e $nto the$r own>

Prou!hon.s ho#es of foun!$n" a re%$ew were now %an$sh$n" an! he ha! #ub($' an! #r$%ate *ot$%esto resent h$s enfor'e! s$(en'e, for he ha! no re"u(ar $n'o*e an! he thou"ht h$s *ar/et-%a(ue as a

ourna($st was h$"h+ In any 'ase, the E*#eror was "o$n" o%er to the 'ounter-re%o(ut$on e*bo!$e! $nthe hur'h+ Prou!hon a(*ost !es#a$re! of the &ren'h, !ur$n" the r$*ean :ar he was rea!y to

be($e%e any ba! news an! s'e#t$'a( about "oo! news+ 6he ra#$! #ro"ress of the $n!ustr$a( syste* $n&ran'e un!er the Se'on! E*#$re an! the "rowth of s#e'u(at$on !e'e$%e! th$s fr$%o(ous #eo#(e $ntoth$n/$n" $t was we(( off+ 6he nat$ona( !ebt /e#t r$s$n" an! the *ora( tone of the nat$on /e#t fa(($n"+

a! te*#er an! "enu$ne $n!$"nat$on foun! a %ent $n the #ub($'at$on of Prou!hon.s "reatest an!*ost 'hara'ter$st$' boo/+ !f Justice in the $evolution and the hurchwas ostens$b(y #ro%o/e! by a'(er$'a( ourna($st, Eu"ne !e 2$re'ourt, who ha! #ub($sh a br$ef s/et'h of Prou!hon+ Prou!hon ha!a horror of any $ntrus$on $nto h$s #r$%ate ($fe, an! he f(attere! h$*se(f that hene%er $ntro!u'e! any

#ersona( an$*us or s'an!a( $nto h$s own wr$t$n"+ 2$re'ourt, $n!ee!, 'ou(! not f$n! any ser$ousf(aws $n Prou!hon.s *ora(s, but, $n any 'ase, $t was nobo!y.s bus$ness $f the re%o(ut$onary was a*o!e( husban! an! father+ :hen Prou!hon (earne! that $t was to ar!$na( 2ath$eu, the 9r'hb$sho#of esanMon, that 2$re'ourt owe! so*e of h$s $nfor*at$on an! that the ar!$na( ha! attr$bute!

Prou!hon.s o#$n$ons to #o%erty an! #r$!e, h$s ra"e bo$(e! o%er+ 9 fe((ow-'$t$en of &ran'he-o*tha! so far for"otten the ob($"at$ons of that bon! as to *a/e Prou!hon the %$'t$* of a Par$s$ans'r$bb(er> 9 re#(y to the ar!$na( was be"un, a re#(y wh$'h "rew fro* a #a*#h(et $nto a boo/ ofo%er two thousan! #a"es $n wh$'h Prou!hon re#eate! a(*ost a(( he ha! sa$!, but w$th a fer%our an!an e(o4uen'e that he ha! ne%er e4ua((e! before+ 6he *a$n the*e of the boo/ $s !e'(are! $n the t$t(e,!f Justice in the $evolution and the hurch+ It $s not *ere(y a re#(y to 2$re'ourt or to the ar!$na()$t $s a !e'(arat$on of war a"a$nst the hur'h, a !e*onstrat$on of the fun!a*enta( $n'o*#at$b$($ty ofthe tea'h$n" of the hur'h an! the tea'h$n" of the Re%o(ut$on+

:hat $s the nature of th$s $n'o*#at$b$($ty It ($es $n the #(a'e "$%en to 3o! $n atho($' theo(o"y+Prou!hon !oes not !eny the e$sten'e of 3o!) but he $s host$(e to any $!ea of 3o! wh$'h *a/es

hu*an a't$on !e#en! on H$s a't$on or wh$'h #uts off to the net wor(! the re*e!y for the $nust$'esof th$s+ 6he 'entra( a'h$e%e*ent of the Re%o(ut$on was that $t brou"ht !own Just$'e fro* the s/y tothe earth+ :here hr$st$an tea'h$n" ha! stresse! 'har$ty, an $!ea $n%o(%$n" *ore or (ess than Just$'e,the Re%o(ut$on asserts that Just$'e $s the "reatest nee! of *an -an! that $t $s atta$nab(e+ 6o (oo/ to3o! for a$! $n $ts a'h$e%e*ent $s to 'orru#t the essent$a( truth that a(( *en hun"er after Just$'e

before a(( other earth(y "oo!s) that Just$'e $s $**anent, not trans'en!enta(+ hr$st$an$ty obs'uresth$s truth+ It has *any *er$ts) $t $s the on(y #oss$b(e a(ternat$%e to the ru(e of Just$'e) but whate%er$ts ser%$'es $n the #ast, s$n'e the Re%o(ut$on abo($she! "o%ern*ent by !$%$ne r$"ht, allauthor$t$es!e#en!$n" on !$%$ne r$"ht, the hur'h, an! e%en the state, subst$tut$n" the !$%$ne r$"ht of the #eo#(efor the !$%$ne r$"ht of the /$n", are 'on!e*ne!+ 6hey are a barr$er $n the way of #ro"ress, therea($sat$on of Just$'e on earth, Just$'e re%ea(e! $n *utua( res#e't, $n e'ono*$' e4ua($ty, an! $n the

#o($t$'a( e4ua($ty that w$(( fo((ow fro* $t+2ost wr$ters wou(! not ta/e two thousan! #a"es to assert these !o"*as, an! to $((ustrate the*, but

$n the 'ourse of h$s ar"u*ent, Prou!hon $s not ha*#ere! by re(e%an'e+ He $s ab(e to atta'/'o**un$s*, both $n the for* of ear(y hr$st$an 'o**un$t$es an! $n that of the &our$er$st

#ha(anstery+ 6he '(osest reason$n" of entha* *ay *a/e h$* a "reat e'ono*$st, but what a%a$(sthat $f he 'onte*n Just$'e ut he $s not 'ontent w$th atta'/$n" o#$n$ons) he for"ets h$s own soun!

#r$n'$#(es an! assa$(s #ersons+ H$s outra"eous assau(t on the *e*ory of He$ne shows h$* at h$sworst) an! h$s ostentat$ous refusa( to $n!u("e $n *ere ant$-'(er$'a( s'an!a( *on"er$n" !$! not (ast(on"+ 6he w$'/e!ness of b$sho#s who ($sten too rea!$(y to 'har"es *a!e a"a$nst the *ora(s of the$r'(er"y $s stresse! $n one #(a'e- an! the truth of those 'har"es asserte! $n another+ 6he ar!$na( $s

as/e! to be "ratefu( that Prou!hon !oes not !we(( on .that b$sho# re'ent(y !ea! who be'a*e fatherto a who(e 'o*#any of nat$ona( "uar!s) nor on that #ar$sh #r$est who, to the s$"ht an! /now(e!"e ofh$s #ar$sh$oners, ha! ten 'h$(!ren by three wo*en.+ 6h$s *o!erat$on was not as we(( re'e$%e! asProu!hon #rofesse! to e#e't an!, when he was as/e! for h$s author$ty, he ha! to wr$te fur$ous(y to


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a fr$en! that .the two 'ases were to(! *e by a na%a( off$'er, or a!*$ra(, who was a w$tness of the*$n S#an$sh 9*er$'a or $n ra$(, I !on.t /now wh$'h ++++ 6h$s $s 'a((e! calumn#+. 9s Prou!hon ha!ta/en "reat #a$ns to #ut h$s s'an!a(s on .th$s s$!e of the 9t(ant$'., the 'har"e of 'a(u*ny was not $((-foun!e!) an! $t $s easy to $*a"$ne the fury w$th wh$'h any s$*$(ar tr$'/, #(aye! by 2$re'ourt, wou(!ha%e been re'e$%e!>

In a!!$t$on to #h$(oso#hy, e'ono*$'s, *ora(s an! s'an!a(s, Prou!hon !e*onstrates h$s ($terary#r$n'$#(es $nJustice+ 6hey are not a(ways 'ons$stent+ ran"er $s ran/e! abo%e P$n!ar, Da%$!,Hora'e+ 9t another t$*e he $s *ere(y one of the "reatest #oets of the n$neteenth 'entury) at anotherhe $s %ery *e!$o're+ 2ost of the (ea!$n" 'onte*#orary &ren'h wr$ters are re(e"ate! to $nfer$or

#(a'es be'ause of the$r #reo''u#at$on w$th art, $nstea! of w$th tea'h$n"+ D$!a't$' #oetry $s the on(y#oetry worth wr$t$n" or rea!$n", so the future of $'tor Hu"o !e#en!s on h$s aban!on$n"LaL5gende des Si6clesfor *ore #a*#h(ets+ 6he erot$' no%e(s of 3eor"e San! natura((y 'o*e offba!(y) En"($sh ($terature has (on" been !ea!) &ren'h $s now !ea!) but, not on(y $n #rose but $n#oetry, &ren'h $s the best of (an"ua"es an! ($teratures+ 6hat he ha! no 4ua($f$'at$ons for #ass$n" onthe *er$ts of 3er*an or En"($sh ($terature !$! not *o!$fy Prou!hon.s 'onf$!en'e+

Not on(y !oes Prou!hon wan!er) so*e of h$s o(! fau(ts of #o$nt(ess (o"$'a( ar"on re'ur@ .xbe$n"

the a%era"e %a(ue of "en$us $n the hu*an be$n", #oss$b(y there w$(( be foun! e'e#t$ona( $n!$%$!ua(swhose "en$us e4ua(sx ) there are no "en$uses e4ua(($n"x ?+. .If, $n stren"th, *an $s to wo*anas ? to ) wo*an, $n beauty, $s $n turn to *an as ? to + Ne$ther the ar"u*ent for natura( e4ua($ty,the sus#$'$ons of any s#e'$a( '(a$* for ta(ent nor the f$r*(y roote! be($ef that e4ua($ty between *en!oes not $n%o(%e e4ua($ty between the sees, are rea((y he(#e! by the $ntrus$on of 'ru!e*athe*at$'a( #ro#ort$ons $n f$e(!s of u!"rnent unf$tte! for the*+ 2ore *athe*at$'s $n h$se'ono*$'s an! (ess $n h$s aesthet$'s an! *ora(s wou(! ha%e $*#ro%e! Prou!hon.s boo/s>

If Prou!hon.s r$%a(s re#roa'he! h$* w$th terr$fy$n" the *$!!(e '(asses by h$s asso'$at$on w$th theabo($t$on of #ro#erty, Prou!hon was e4ua((y an"ry w$th those who "a%e "roun! for the be($ef thatso'$a($s* an! free (o%e went to"ether+ &or one th$n", he ha! a (ow est$*ate of the $*#ortan'e of

seua( (o%e+ It was one of the !etestab(e fru$ts of the .ro*ant$' s'rofu(a. that (o%e was *a!e essent$a(to *arr$a"e+ 2arr$a"e ha! h$"her a$*s than the "rat$f$'at$on of (o%e or (ust+ Prou!hon was %ery#rou! of h$s own 'hast$ty, a for* of #r$!e s$n"u(ar enou"h $n the ($terary an! refor*$n" '$r'(es ofthat !ay+ H$s own seua( #ass$ons !o not see* to ha%e been stron", an! he ha! no sy*#athy w$ththose whose #ass$ons were stron"er+ He 'ou(! !o w$thout (o%e as he 'ou(! !o w$thout toba''o, an!the s(a%es of e$ther of these ba! hab$ts ha! on(y to $*$tate h$* to the$r #rof$t+ On th$s sube't he wasne%er t$re! of #rea'h$n", #rea'h$n" at $ts best worthy of 2ass$((on, at $ts not $nfre4uent worst, ratherre'a(($n" the #owerfu( art$'(es of 2r+ Ja*es Dou"(as+ 6h$s enthus$as* for *ora($ty *a!e Prou!honthe %$'t$* of a 'e(ebrate! hoa, for he was (e! to sen! a (etter of a!%$'e to a fe*a(e '$r'us r$!er whowas re#ent$n" an $((-s#ent ($fe+ 6he a!%$'e, $f r$"orous, was "oo!, but $n the Par$s of that t$*e the

o/e was thou"ht e%en better-e'e#t by Prou!hon, who was fur$ous at the tr$'/ #(aye! on h$*+

In noth$n" was Prou!hon.s #os$t$on *ore !eter*$ne!(y *a$nta$ne! than $n h$s atta'/s on fe*$n$s*+H$s #ass$on for e4ua($ty was ($*$te!+ If there were ra'es wh$'h 'ou(! not be ra$se! to the (e%e( of&ren'h*en - (et the* !$sa##ear, but he !$! not want wo*an to !$sa##ear orto '(a$* #o($t$'a( orso'$a( e4ua($ty w$th *an+ 6he outs$!e wor(! on(y rea'he! a wo*an, $n a #ro#er(y 'onst$tute!so'$ety, throu"h her husban! or father+ She was a(ways $n tute(a"e, for she was $n bo!y an! *$n!$nfer$or to *an+ No !oubt she ha! h$"h 4ua($t$es of her own wh$'h *an 'ou(! not $*$tate, but sherea'he! the* throu"h *an+ In Par$s 'orru#t throu"h an! throu"h, where wo*an no%e($sts werea((owe! to sa# the foun!at$ons of *ora($ty an! #rost$tutes f(aunte! the s#o$( that the$r /ee#ers ha!sto(en on the Sto'/ E'han"e, these hea(thy truths were ne"(e'te!, but the tra!$t$ona( #easant %$ewof wo*an.s #(a'e was unf($n'h$n"(y asserte! by Prou!hon an! #ra't$se! by h$* at ho*e+ He !$! not

want of h$s w$fe, or !au"hters, $nte((e'tua( e4ua($ty) he e%en thou"ht re($"$on a "oo! th$n" $n $ts#(a'e for a se $n'a#ab(e of r$s$n" to the h$"h 'on'e#t$on af $**anent Just$'e an! of ta/$n" a #(a'e$n the ($fe of so'$ety $n the$r own r$"ht+


24/31

6h$s seua( 'onser%at$s* !$! not sa%e Prou!hon fro* #rose'ut$on, for the !r$ft of $*#er$a( #o($'yfro* r$"ht to (eft ha! been $nterru#te! by the atte*#t to *ur!er the e*#eror *a!e by Ors$n$+ In therea't$on that fo((owe!, Prou!hon was a %$'t$*+Justiceha! ha! a "reat su''ess) $t was se$e! an! $tsauthor #rose'ute! for .atta'/s on #ub($' an! re($"$ous *ora(s+++ !efen'e of 'r$*es+++ atta'/s a"a$nstthe res#e't !ue to (aw+++ $n'$te*ent of '$t$ens to *utua( hate an! s'orn + + + #ub($'at$on of fa(senews+. He fou"ht ba'/ by $n"en$ous #et$t$ons to the Senate, but was 'on!e*ne! to three years

$*#r$son*ent an! A,ooo fran's f$ne+ H$s #ub($sher "ot one *onth - an! $t #ro%e! a (esson to him+9##ea(s were use(ess, an! Prou!hon ha! to f(ee to e("$u*, where he (earne! the har! (essons of($fe as an e$(e+

He sett(e! !own $n russe(s $n 1858, fu(( of ra"e at h$s #($"ht, a(thou"h 'an!$! fr$en!s #o$nte! outthat he ha! h$s own %$o(en'e of (an"ua"e to than/ for $t) $t was fo((y to $*a"$ne that the $*#er$a("o%ern*ent wou(! (et #ass so "oo! a 'han'e of 'on'$($at$n" the hur'h by sa'r$f$'$n" a

#a*#h(eteer who was as troub(eso*e a fr$en! as an ene*y+ 6he f$rst troub(es of the e$(e weref$nan'$a(+ 3arn$er ha! (earne! h$s (esson+ He wou(! #ub($sh no *ore #o(e*$'a( wor/s for Prou!hon)($terature, yes, but #o($t$'s an! e'ono*$'s, no> Prou!hon ha! 'a('u(ate! on the #rof$ts of h$s boo/sto free h$* fro* the 'onstant *oney worr$es that he ha! en!ure! s$n'e he ha! (eft 7yons+ Now he

was 'ut off fro* h$s *ar/et+ He 'ou(! wr$te *ore free(y $n e("$u* than $n &ran'e, but he 'ou(! notrea'h the &ren'h #ub($', or turn h$s wr$t$n"s $nto a *eans of ($%e($hoo!+ He suffere! fro* 'onstant'atarrh, wh$'h he b(a*e! on the e("$an '($*ate) he obe'te! to the h$"h #r$'e of w$ne an! to h$sfor'e! a!!$'t$on to beer+ 2oreo%er, he *a!e ene*$es $n e("$u*+ He #rea'he! a"a$nst'entra($sat$on, thus annoy$n" the #o($t$'$ans of russe(s) he, the "reat ant$-'(er$'a(, #oure! s'orn onthe e("$an ($bera(s, say$n" he #referre! the atho($' #arty) an!, $f $n &ran'e he was a(waysatta'/$n" the na$%e #r$!e of h$s 'ountry*en, he *a!e $t '(ear to h$s e("$an hosts that &ran'e wasst$(( at the hea! of '$%$($at$on+ E%ents were *o%$n" fast $n &ran'e - an! $n the !$re't$on thatProu!hon ha! a!%o'ate!+ 6he E*#eror !e'$!e!, $n 185, to *a/e war on 9ustr$a to free Ita(y+ Itwas a swer%e to the (eft, to the #arty of the Re%o(ut$on an! $t was so re"ar!e! by obser%ers on boths$!es+ 6he (eft reo$'e!) the r$"ht "rew *ore an! *ore sus#$'$ous, for any u#set of thestatus 0uo$n

Ita(y 'ou(! on(y har* the Po#e+ Prou!hon refuse! to be($e%e $n the war) he refuse! to be($e%e $n&ren'h %$'tor$es) he refuse! to reo$'e $n the*) an! the wor(! was soon treate! to the s#e'ta'(e ofthe "reat re%o(ut$onary #ra$s$n" the wor/ of the on"ress of $enna) 'ast$n" 'o(! water on the $!eaof Ita($an nat$ona($ty) re"rett$n" the tr$u*#hs of 3ar$ba(!$) abus$n" 2a$n$) burn$n" a(( the $!o(s ofthe !e*o'r

d.w. brogan - 1934 - proudhon

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