Archive

Quotes

Who draws his sword against his prince must throw away the scabbard.

—James Howell, 1659

The most radical revolutionary will become a conservative on the day after the revolution.

—Hannah Arendt, 1970

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, 1977

Revolution begins in putting on bright colors.

—Tennessee Williams, 1944

It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees.

—Dolores Ibárruri, 1936

Insurrection of thought always precedes insurrection of arms.

—Wendell Phillips, 1859

Revolutions are celebrated when they are no longer dangerous. 

—Pierre Boulez, 1989

Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God.

—Benjamin Franklin, 1776

In revolutions men fall and rise. Long before this war is over, much as you hear me praised now, you may hear me cursed and insulted.

—William Tecumseh Sherman, 1864

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

—Aristotle, c. 350 BC

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

—Benjamin Disraeli, 1844

The only justification of rebellion is success.

—Thomas B. Reed, 1878

All modern revolutions have ended in a reinforcement of the power of the state.

—Albert Camus, 1951