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Quotes

The only justification of rebellion is success.

—Thomas B. Reed, 1878

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

—George Bernard Shaw, 1903

Nothing is more unpredictable than the mob, nothing more obscure than public opinion, nothing more deceptive than the whole political system.

—Marcus Tullius Cicero, 63 BC

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

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.

—Oscar Wilde, 1891

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.

 

—Fidel Castro, 1959

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

—Albert Camus, 1951

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.

—La Rochefoucauld, 1665

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, 1791

Revolutions are celebrated when they are no longer dangerous. 

—Pierre Boulez, 1989

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

—James Howell, 1659

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

—Ursula K. Le Guin, 1983