But when the country, into which I had just set my foot, was set on fire about my ears, it was time to stir. It was time for every man to stir.

“Now when the men talk, their voices burn in the air, making smoke all over the place. We hear about change, about new country, about democracy, about elections and what-what.

Get on fire for God and men will come and see you burn.

Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.

I came to set fire to the earth, and I wish it were already on fire!

Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.

When men change, nations change.

At a time like this, scorching irony, not convincing argument, is needed. O! had I the ability, and could reach the nation's ear, I would, to-day, pour out a fiery stream of biting ridicule, blasting reproach, withering sarcasm, and stern rebuke. For it is not light that is needed, but fire; it is not the gentle shower, but thunder. We need the storm, the whirlwind, and the earthquake. The feeling of the nation must be quickened; the conscience of the nation must be roused; the propriety of the nation must be startled; the hypocrisy of the nation must be exposed; and its crimes against God and man must be proclaimed and denounced.

We are in the reign of fire, everything is being burned.

Then they died.
And other men came after them. Wars flamed up and burned out; the howling peoples dwelt in smashed cities and kindled their fires with books.

I set myself on fire and people come to watch me burn.

I am a little man and this is a little town, but there must be a spark in little men that can burst into flame.