Every revolution evaporates and leaves behind only the slime of a new bureaucracy.
—Franz Kafka (1883–1924) Austrian Novelist, Short Story Writer
True revolutionaries are like God—they create the world in their own image. Our awesome responsibility to ourselves, to our children, and to the future is to create ourselves in the image of goodness, because the future depends on the nobility of our imaginings.
—Barbara Grizzuti Harrison (1934–2002) American Journalist, Essayist, Memoirist, Travel Writer
In this Revolution no plans have been written for retreat.
—Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929–68) American Civil Rights Leader, Clergyman
You cannot make a revolution with silk gloves.
—Joseph Stalin (1878–1953) Soviet Leader
More and more, revolution has found itself delivered into the hands of its bureaucrats and doctrinaires on the one hand, and to the enfeebled and bewildered masses on the other.
—Albert Camus (1913–60) Algerian-born French Philosopher, Dramatist, Essayist, Novelist, Author
The more there are riots, the more repressive action will take place, and the more we face the danger of a right-wing takeover and eventually a fascist society.
—Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929–68) American Civil Rights Leader, Clergyman
Revolutions are always verbose.
—Leon Trotsky (1879–1940) Russian Marxist Revolutionary
It is almost never when a state of things is the most detestable that it is smashed, but when, beginning to improve, it permits men to breathe, to reflect, to communicate their thoughts with each other, and to gauge by what they already have the extent of their rights and their grievances. The weight, although less heavy, seems then all the more unbearable.
—Alexis de Tocqueville (1805–59) French Historian, Political Scientist
All successful revolutions are the kicking in of a rotten door. The violence of revolutions is the violence of men who charge into a vacuum.
—John Kenneth Galbraith (1908–2006) Canadian-Born American Economist
And then, Sir, there is this consideration, that if the abuse be enormous, nature will rise up, and claiming her original rights, overturn a corrupt political system.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
The excessive increase of anything causes a reaction in the opposite direction.
—Plato (428 BCE–347 BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher, Mathematician, Educator
We used to think that revolutions are the cause of change. Actually it is the other way around: change prepares the ground for revolution.
—Eric Hoffer (1902–83) American Philosopher, Author
The most radical revolutionary will become a conservative the day after the revolution.
—Hannah Arendt (1906–75) German-American Philosopher, Political Theorist
I, John Brown, am now quite certain that the crimes of this guilty land will never be purged away but with Blood.
—John Mason Brown (1900–69) American Author, Drama Critic
When the People contend for their liberty, they seldom get anything for their Victory but new Masters.
—George Savile, 1st Marquess of Halifax (1633–95) British Statesman, Writer, Politician
Disturbances in society are never more fearful than when those who are stirring up the trouble can use the pretext of religion to mask their true designs.
—Denis Diderot (1713–84) French Philosopher, Writer
Revolution, in order to be creative, cannot do without either a moral or metaphysical rule to balance the insanity of history.
—Albert Camus (1913–60) Algerian-born French Philosopher, Dramatist, Essayist, Novelist, Author
Revolution today is taken for granted, and in consequence becomes rather dull.
—Wyndham Lewis (1882–1957) English Novelist, Painter, Critic
All partisan movements add to the fullness of our understanding of society as a whole. They never detract; or, in any case, one must not allow them to do so. Experience adds to experience.
—Alice Walker (b.1944) American Novelist, Activist
I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval architecture, navigation, commerce and agriculture in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain
—John Adams (1735–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
We have wasted our spirit in the regions of the abstract and general just as the monks let it wither in the world of prayer and contemplation.
—Alexander Herzen (1812–70) Russian Revolutionary, Writer
The Revolution was effected before the War commenced. The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people; a change in their religious sentiments of their duties and obligations. This radical change in the principles, opinions, sentiments, and affections of the people, was the real American Revolution.
—John Adams (1735–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
The children of the revolution are always ungrateful, and the revolution must be grateful that it is so.
—Ursula K. Le Guin (b.1929) American Science Fiction and Fantasy Writer
Oh, my friend, it’s not what they take away from you that counts—it’s what you do with what you have left.
—Hubert Humphrey (1911–78) American Head of State, Politician
History teaches us that the great revolutions aren’t started by people who are utterly down and out, without hope and vision. They take place when people begin to live a little better—and when they see how much yet remains to be achieved.
—Hubert Humphrey (1911–78) American Head of State, Politician
He that goeth about to persuade a multitude that they are not so well governed as they ought to be shall never want attentive and favorable hearers.
—Richard Hooker (1554–1600) English Anglican Theologian, Political Theorist
Independence in the end is the fruit of injustice.
—Voltaire (1694–1778) French Philosopher, Author
Revolutions never go backwards.
—Wendell Phillips (1811–84) American Abolitionist, Lawyer, Orator
What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
Inferiors revolt in order that they may be equal, and equals that they may be superior. Such is the state of mind which creates revolutions.
—Aristotle (384BCE–322BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher, Scholar