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

Those who give the first shock to a state are the first overwhelmed in its ruin; the fruits of public commotion are seldom enjoyed by him who was the first mover; he only beats the water for another’s net.

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

Revolutions are always verbose.

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.

The only justification of rebellion is success.

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

I began revolution with eighty-two men. If I had to do it again, I do it with ten or fifteen and absolute faith. It does not matter how small you are if you have faith and plan of action.

The children of the revolution are always ungrateful, and the revolution must be grateful that it is so.

The spirit of revolution, the spirit of insurrection, is a spirit radically opposed to liberty.

Revolutionaries are greater sticklers for formality than conservatives.

Insurrection of thought always precedes insurrection of arms.

If there was ever a just war since the world began, it is this in which America is now engaged.