“I know you consider land to be the property of the landlord, and therefore call the restoration to themselves of its produce by the peasants⁠—robbery; but, you know, that is not true! The land never was, and never can be, anyone’s property. If a man has more of it than he requires, while others have none, then he who possesses the surplus land possesses not land but men; and men cannot be the property of other men.

“Because a dozen mischievous lads have burnt some cherry tree sheds, and have cut down some trees, you say the peasants are thieves, and the most immoral class!⁠ ⁠…

“How can your tongue frame such words! They have stolen ten oaks from you. Stolen! ‘To prison with them!’