We make mistakes, we have our faults, and God knows some of us have more than our share, but when danger threatens and duty calls, we go smiling to our own funeral.

About James Larkin

James Larkinand the Workers’ Union of Ireland (the two unions later merged to become SIPTU, Ireland’s largest trade union).

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By God’s help, and the intelligent use of their own strong right arms they could accomplish great things.

James Larkin

Irish socialist and trade union leader

The best thanks we could offer those who went before and raised the Irish working class from their knees was to press forward with determination and enthusiasm towards the ultimate goal of their efforts, a Co-operative Commonwealth for Ireland.

James Larkin

Irish socialist and trade union leader

We are now on the threshold of a newer movement, with a newer hope and a new inspiration.

James Larkin

Irish socialist and trade union leader

Humanity abhors, above all things, a vacuum in itself, and your class will be cut off from humanity as the surgeon cuts the cancer and alien growth from the body.

James Larkin

Irish socialist and trade union leader

You may succeed in your policy and ensure your own damnation, by your victory.

James Larkin

Irish socialist and trade union leader

Stop at home. Arm for Ireland. Fight for Ireland and no other land.

James Larkin

Irish socialist and trade union leader

The employers cannot carry on industry nor accumulate profits if they have not got the good will of the workers or their acquiescence in carrying on such industry.

James Larkin

Irish socialist and trade union leader

The souls you have got cast upon the screen of publicity appear like the horrid and writhing creatures enlarged from the insect world, and revealed to us by the cinematograph.

James Larkin

Irish socialist and trade union leader

We make mistakes, we have our faults, and God knows some of us have more than our share, but when danger threatens and duty calls, we go smiling to our own funeral.

James Larkin

Irish socialist and trade union leader

I have tried to kill sectarianism, whether in Catholics or Protestants.

James Larkin

Irish socialist and trade union leader

I am careful about my conduct because I know this cause requires clean men.

James Larkin

Irish socialist and trade union leader

The land of Ireland for the people of Ireland.

James Larkin

Irish socialist and trade union leader

No, men and women of the Irish race, we shall not fight for England. We shall fight for the destruction of the British Empire and the construction of an Irish republic.

James Larkin

Irish socialist and trade union leader

Man must be associated with his fellows.

James Larkin

Irish socialist and trade union leader

I have raised the morals and sobriety of the people.

James Larkin

Irish socialist and trade union leader

The fate of you, the aristocracy of industry, will be as the fate of the aristocracy of land if you do not show that you have some humanity still among you.

James Larkin

Irish socialist and trade union leader

Those who want to divide the workers have resorted to the foulest methods.

James Larkin

Irish socialist and trade union leader

Russia is the only place where men and women can be free.

James Larkin

Irish socialist and trade union leader

It means that the men who hold the means of life control our lives, and, because we workingmen have tried to get some measure of justice, some measure of betterment, they deny the right of the human being to associate with his fellow.

James Larkin

Irish socialist and trade union leader

We shall not fight for the preservation of the enemy, which has laid waste with death and desolation the fields and hills of Ireland for 700 years.

James Larkin

Irish socialist and trade union leader

For years and years I have done the work I was born for.

James Larkin

Irish socialist and trade union leader

There must be freedom for all to live, to think, to worship, no book, no avenue must be closed.

James Larkin

Irish socialist and trade union leader

Claiming for ourselves liberty of conscience, liberty to worship, we shall see to it that every other individual enjoys the same right.

James Larkin

Irish socialist and trade union leader

We are beaten, we will make no bones about it; but we are not too badly beaten still to fight.

James Larkin

Irish socialist and trade union leader

I never stood in a public house bar and alcoholic drink never touched my lips.

James Larkin

Irish socialist and trade union leader

Intolerance has been the curse of our country.

James Larkin

Irish socialist and trade union leader

Therefore it is essential that some means should be sought whereby the work of the nation may be carried on without constant yet at present necessary dislocation.

James Larkin

Irish socialist and trade union leader

I am, of course, aware that the ultimate solution is the ownership and control of the means of life by the whole of the people; but we are not at that stage of development as yet.

James Larkin

Irish socialist and trade union leader

The men whose manhood you have broken will loathe you, and will always be brooding and scheming to strike a fresh blow.

James Larkin

Irish socialist and trade union leader

A mutual arrangement, I repeat, is the only satisfactory medium whereby the present system can be carried on with any degree of satisfaction, and in such an arrangement the employers have more to gain than the workers.

James Larkin

Irish socialist and trade union leader

The question of religion was a matter for each individual’s conscience, and in a great many cases was the outcome of birth or residence in a certain geographical area.

James Larkin

Irish socialist and trade union leader

Comrades – We are living in momentous times.

James Larkin

Irish socialist and trade union leader