"Slavery is the first step towards civilization. In order to develop it is necessary that things should be much better for some and much worse for others, then those who are better off can develop at the expense of others"

Alexander Herzen's quote recommends that slavery is an essential action in the development of civilization. He argues that in order for a society to progress, it is necessary for some to be much better off than others, so that those who are much better off can use the resources of those who are even worse off to advance their own advancement. This concept implies that the advancement of a society is based on the exploitation of those who are less fortunate. Herzen's quote suggests that the development of a society is based upon the exploitation of those who are less lucky, and that this is a needed step in the procedure of civilization. This idea is controversial, as it implies that the improvement of a society is based upon the suffering of others. Nevertheless, it is necessary to keep in mind that Herzen's quote does not condone slavery, but rather acknowledges its role in the development of civilization.