Misunderstood (and probably fake) Stalin quote

[Kim Jong Il]

"The death of one man is a tragedy, a million deaths is a statistic." - J.V. Stalin (supposedly)

I think this supposed quote from brother J.V. Stalin is more or less correct, as "value" is an ultimately subjective measurement that people arbitrarily apply to anything that can be physically or conceptually objectified. This is an externally attached, intangible characteristic -- as opposed to one of an intrinsic nature. As such, a human life (or human life in general) can just as easily be priceless, worthless, or a point of negative worth - depending upon the perspective from the point of observation. I can even see existentialists abiding by this quote.

What are your thoughts on this? I expect none other than the_Goddess to reply to this thread.

[HornyPope]

I had this one as my signature three years ago. It's not a particulary deep quote.

p.s. Don't write J.V. Stalin. No one called Stalin by his patronymic.

[Kim Jong Il]

I had this one as my signature three years ago. It's not a particulary deep quote.

I would disagree, however, I think we can all agree on the fact that this quote is frequently misunderstood -- which is the reason why I posted this thread -- to fit the role of "the bloody tyrant" role the bourgeois parasites designed for him. Still, this is not a thread about Stalin, and we should avoid the thread being dragged off topic.

p.s. Don't write J.V. Stalin. No one called Stalin by his patronymic.

Sorry, but I am used to it. I call all of my Russian brothers and sisters by their name and patronymic. Maksim Mihailovich sounds better than just Maksim, no? Anyhow, these are just petty details, and I'd prefer if you stay on point. I am sure you're fully capable of delivering a well-argumented post about the validity of Stalin's quote.

[DirtyMagical]

So use his full name then Iosif Vessarionovich Dzhugashvili.
Okay I don't know how to spell that in English.

[TheUnholyNightbringer]

Just to point out.. why does it simply say "Einstein" in your signature? Shouldn't it be Albert Einstein?

You remind me of an extremely dedicated Communist friend of mine. He annoys me very much.

[sKratch]

Einstein isn't his Russian brother.

[TheUnholyNightbringer]

How racist.

*Creams self at all the political correctness*

[HornyPope]

Sorry, but I am used to it. I call all of my Russian brothers and sisters by their name and patronymic. Maksim Mihailovich sounds better than just Maksim, no?

I know that, it's just that you'd rarely hear Stalin refered by his patronymic, or his full name even. Unlike Nikita Sergeyevich, Boris Nikolayevich, and maybe Vladimir Ilyitch, Stalin was known to his people as simply Stalin. Like Trotsky was Trotsky or Pozzo (a Corsican by birth serving the Russian court of Alexander the first in Paris following the fall of the Napelonic empire) was Pozzo. Dunno. It's a Russian thing.

I am sure you're fully capable of delivering a well-argumented post about the validity of Stalin's quote.

There is not much to argue. It's just a loose phrase open to interpretations that lead precisely nowhere. If you ask me on why it was stuck with the people, I think it's more of a tribute than anything to his persona. A vilified persona perhaps, but one that is justly deserved. Like Petain is remembered for his "ils ne passeront pas" (they shall not pass) phrase circa Verdun battle, Stalin has his, as do most people of the time.