7 Memorable Phrases By Antonio Gramsci

Antonio Gramsci’s phrases have a very particular charm. Almost all of them bring together some politics, some philosophy and some more poetry. In fact, his sentences are a good representation of what he was: a multifaceted, comprehensive and passionate intellectual.

A good part of Antonio Gramsci’s sentences, and of his work in general, were written in prison. He got there because of the political persecution imposed by Benito Mussolini and Italian fascism. To achieve his conviction, the prosecutor in the case used this phrase: ” For twenty years we have to prevent this brain from working .”

This man, physically deformed by a hump and socially excluded due to his poverty, was one of the most important intellectuals in Italy in the 20th century. He was a convinced communist, but his thinking was also universal. This is reflected in several of Antonio Gramsci’s phrases that are exposed below.

1. The error of the intellectual

One of the great points of interest for Gramsci was the subject of intellectuals and their role in society. In this regard, he points out in one of his sentences: ” The error of the intellectual consists in believing that one can know without understanding and, especially, without feeling and being passionate. “

He was against anyone who became an intellectual out of sheer desire for illustration or simple pedantry. Instead, he believed that intellectuals should be at the service of those who had the least access to the world of ideas. And this was only achieved when there was a true passion to understand and act.

2. Between the old and the new world

This is one of those Antonio Gramsci phrases that have something enigmatic and, at the same time, a prophetic tone. It says: “ The old world dies. The new one takes time to appear. And in that chiaroscuro the monsters emerge ”.

In truth, times of transition in history usually give rise to great chaos and uncertainties, as the old coexists with the new, without either of the two realities being able to impose itself on the other. In these conditions, the perverse is often born.

3. A false originality

Gramsci was a revolutionary with all his letters. Not for nothing did he die in prison, in the midst of great humiliation, but keeping his convictions firm. In one of his sentences he warns about false rebellion and false originality.

The phrase reads: “ It is too easy to be original simply by simply doing the opposite of what others do; this is just mechanical ”. Just as opposing everything does not necessarily mean being a contestant, doing the opposite of what is usual does not imply being singular.

4. One of Antonio Gramsci’s phrases about cultural power

This is one of the phrases of Antonio Gramsci that best synthesizes his thought. He points out: ” The conquest of cultural power is prior to that of political power and this is achieved through the concerted action of the so-called ‘organic’ intellectuals infiltrated in all the communication, expression and university media “.

Unlike other Marxists of his time, Gramsci placed enormous value on the cultural issue, more than on the economic or political. In fact, their contributions served to found a democratic communism, which later became known as “Eurocommunism”.

5. The dead weight of history

When we speak of “dead weight” what is referred to is what is there simply to make the load more tortuous. Something that is carried like a burden, without transporting it from one place to another provides something worthwhile.

In relation to this, one of Antonio Gramsci’s phrases says: ” Indifference is the dead weight of history. ” It means that you move forward in time against that lack of commitment and awareness that hides behind the action, or inaction, of the indifferent.

6. Lament over enemies

In this sentence, Antonio Gramsci shows off his common sense and also a certain touch of mischief. He points out: ” If an enemy hurts you and you complain, you are stupid, because the enemy’s own thing is to do damage .”

This phrase seems tailored for those who are very sensitive to trolls or troublemakers on social networks, today. It is obvious that what should be expected of a contradictor or an enemy is little empathy and very little consideration.

7. The essence of all war

This is a wonderful phrase by Antonio Gramsci, which synthesizes a very deep analysis. He says: ” Every war has always been a religious war. ” In this statement a great truth is condensed, which was and continues to be valid and universal.

In this case, he does not speak of religion as a specific belief, but as an attitude. Religious thought is based on dogma and dogma breaks the dialogue. War takes place when dialogue becomes impossible.

Antonio Gramsci was only 46 years old when he died, mistreated and enduring tuberculosis that afflicted him for several months. By then he had already written his Prison Notebooks , a wonderful work, not only philosophical, but also literary, which is always worth rereading.