Within less than two years I had gained a clear understanding of Social
Democracy, its teaching and its weapons.
I recognised the infamy of that technique whereby the movement carried
on a campaign of mental terrorism against the bourgeoisie, which is neither morally nor spiritually equipped to withstand such attacks. The tactics of
Social Democracy consisted in opening, at a given signal, a veritable barrage
of lies and calumnies against the man whom they believed to be the most
redoubtable of their adversaries, until the nerves of the bourgeoisie gave way
and they sacrificed the man who was attacked, simply in the hope of being
allowed to live in peace.
But the hope always proved to be a foolish one for they were never left
in peace. The same tactics were repeated again and again, until fear of these
ruthless fanatics exercised, by sheer force of suggestion, a paralysing effect on
their victims. Through its own experience, Social Democracy learned the value
of strength and for that reason it attacks mostly those in whom it senses real
mettle, which is indeed a very rare possession.