Revolutionaries are greater sticklers for formality than conservatives.

The brutalities of progress are called revolutions. When they are over we realize this: that the human has been roughly handled, but that it has advanced.

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.

Disobedience, in the eyes of anyone who has read history, is man’s original virtue. It is through disobedience that progress has been made—through disobedience and through rebellion.

I have been ever of the opinion that revolutions are not to be evaded.

Revolutions have never lightened the burden of tyranny, they have only shifted it to another shoulder.

Revolutions are not about trifles, but they are produced by trifles. 

The only justification of rebellion is success.

If not us, who? If not now, when?

There is a kind of revolution of so general a character that it changes the mental tastes as well as the fortunes of the world.

To cast aside obedience, and by popular violence to incite revolt, is treason, not against man only, but against God.

Revolution can never be forecast; it cannot be foretold; it comes of itself. Revolution is brewing and is bound to flare up.

Insurgents are like conquerors: they must go forward; the moment they are stopped, they are lost.