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The selfish misconception that induces you to transform into

eternal laws of nature and of reason, the social forms springing

from your present mode of production and form of

property-historical relations that rise and disappear in the

progress of production-this misconception you share with every

ruling class that has preceded you. What you see clearly in the

case of ancient property, what you admit in the case of feudal

property, you are of course forbidden to admit in the case of

your own bourgeois form of property.

Abolition of the family! Even the most radical flare up at this

infamous proposal of the Communists.

On what foundation is the present family, the bourgeois family,

based? On capital, on private gain. In its completely developed

form this family exists only among the bourgeoisie. But this

state of things finds its complement in the practical absence of

the family among the proletarians, and in public prostitution.