Every revolution was first a thought in one man’s mind.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Independence in the end is the fruit of injustice.
—Voltaire (1694–1778) French Philosopher, Author
Although a system may cease to exist in the legal sense or as a structure of power, its values (or anti-values), its philosophy, its teachings remain in us. They rule our thinking, our conduct, our attitude to others. The situation is a demonic paradox: we have toppled the system but we still carry its genes.
—Ryszard Kapuscinski (1932–2007) Polish Journalist
Most revolutionaries are potential Tories, because they imagine that everything can be put right by altering the shape of society; once that change is effected, as it sometimes is, they see no need for any other.
—George Orwell (1903–50) English Novelist, Journalist
The surest guide to the correctness of the path that women take is joy in the struggle. Revolution is the festival of the oppressed.
—Germaine Greer (b.1939) Australia Academic, Journalist, Scholar, Writer
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
I have been ever of opinion that revolutions are not to be evaded.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
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 revolutionary spirit is mighty convenient in this, that it frees one from all scruples as regards ideas. Its hard absolute optimism is repulsive to my mind by the menace of fanaticism and intolerance it contains. No doubt one should smile at these things; but, imperfect Esthete, I am no better Philosopher. All claim to special righteousness awakens in me that scorn and anger from which a philosophical mind should be free.
—Joseph Conrad (1857–1924) Polish-born British Novelist
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
Revolution today is taken for granted, and in consequence becomes rather dull.
—Wyndham Lewis (1882–1957) English Novelist, Painter, Critic
Revolutions are not made, they come. A revolution is as natural a growth as an oak. It comes out of the past. Its foundations are laid far back.
—Wendell Phillips (1811–84) American Abolitionist, Lawyer, Orator
Every revolution evaporates and leaves behind only the slime of a new bureaucracy.
—Franz Kafka (1883–1924) Austrian Novelist, Short Story Writer
A nation grown free in a single day is a child born with the limbs and the vigor of a man, who would take a drawn sword for his rattle, and set the house in a blaze that he might chuckle over the splendor.
—Sydney Smith (1771–1845) English Clergyman, Essayist, Wit
If there is any period one would desire to be born in, is it not the age of Revolution; when the old and the new stand side by side, and admit of being compared; when the energies of all men are searched by fear and by hope; when the historic glories of the old can be compensated by the rich possibilities of the new era?
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
The scrupulous and the just, the noble, humane, and devoted natures; the unselfish and the intelligent may begin a movement—but it passes away from them. They are not the leaders of a revolution. They are its victims.
—Joseph Conrad (1857–1924) Polish-born British Novelist
A great revolution is never the fault of the people, but of the government.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
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
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
You said, “They’re harmless dreamers and they’re loved by the people.”—“What,” I asked you, “is harmless about a dreamer, and what,” I asked you, “is harmless about the love of the people? Revolution only needs good dreamers who remember their dreams.”
—Tennessee Williams (1911–83) American Playwright
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
Revolutions are not made for export.
—Nikita Khrushchev (1894–1971) Russian Head of State, Political leader
If we glance at the most important revolutions in history, we see at once that the greatest number of these originated in the periodical revolutions of the human mind.
—Wilhelm von Humboldt (1767–1835) German Philosopher, Linguist, Statesman
In a revolution, as in a novel, the most difficult part to invent is the end.
—Alexis de Tocqueville (1805–59) French Historian, Political Scientist
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
You can never have a revolution in order to establish a democracy. You must have a democracy in order to have a revolution.
—G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) English Journalist, Novelist, Essayist, Poet
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
Revolutions never go backwards.
—Wendell Phillips (1811–84) American Abolitionist, Lawyer, Orator
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
Every revolutionary ends up by becoming either an oppressor or a heretic.
—Albert Camus (1913–60) Algerian-born French Philosopher, Dramatist, Novelist
Leave a Reply