Quote:

Wasn't it Lenin who said that the last capitalist will sell one the rope with which to hang the next-to-last capitalist?



I've seen it, in different forms, attributed to both, but mostly to Lenin.

The context of Lenin saying it appears to be that early in the Soviet Union (early 1922), Lenin justified authorizing "limited" capitalism to boost Russia's failing economy -- much to the dismay of more idealist Marxists.

The story goes that when pressed his pithy retort to his abandoning of Communist ideals was something to the effect "Capitalists will sell us the rope with which we will hang them." [most popular variant on the web, at least]


Lenin makes more sense since most of Stalin's fights were with his fellow Soviets - but, ultimately, it may be apocryphal. I can't find it sourced to any work, news article or speech.

<<Click for what Lenin did write & publish on the matter>>
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Amo i Gemelli!! wink