Who said “By bourgeoisie is meant the class of modern capitalists, owners of the means of social…”?

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Friedrich Engels. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceThe Communist Manifesto, footnote (1888 edition)

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“By bourgeoisie is meant the class of modern capitalists, owners of the means of social production and employers of wage labor. By proletariat, the class of modern wage laborers who, having no means of production of their own, are reduced to selling their labor power in order to live.”
— Friedrich Engels
VerifiedThe Communist Manifesto, footnote (1888 edition) · evidenceClass

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: The Communist Manifesto, footnote (1888 edition).

APA

Engels, F. (n.d.). By bourgeoisie is meant the class of modern capitalists, owners of the means of social production and employers of wage labor. By proletariat, the class of modern wage laborers who, having no means of production of their own, are reduced to selling their labor power in order to live. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/10139-by-bourgeoisie-is-meant-the-class-of-modern/

MLA

Engels, Friedrich. “By bourgeoisie is meant the class of modern capitalists, owners of the means of social production and employers of wage labor. By proletariat, the class of modern wage laborers who, having no means of production of their own, are reduced to selling their labor power in order to live.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/10139-by-bourgeoisie-is-meant-the-class-of-modern/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Engels, Friedrich. “By bourgeoisie is meant the class of modern capitalists, owners of the means of social production and employers of wage labor. By proletariat, the class of modern wage laborers who, having no means of production of their own, are reduced to selling their labor power in order to live.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/10139-by-bourgeoisie-is-meant-the-class-of-modern/.

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