All civilization has from time to time become a thin crust over a volcano of revolution.
—Havelock Ellis, 1921Quotes
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, 1864All modern revolutions have ended in a reinforcement of the power of the state.
—Albert Camus, 1951If not us, who? If not now, when?
—Czech slogan, 1989Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.
—John F. Kennedy, 1962It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees.
—Dolores Ibárruri, 1936The 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, 1970To escape its wretched lot, the populace has three ways, two imaginary and one real. The first two are the rum shop and the church; the third is the social revolution.
—Mikhail Bakunin, 1871Rebellion is no less a sin than divination.
—Book of Samuel, c. 550 BCInsurgents are like conquerors: they must go forward; the moment they are stopped, they are lost.
—Duke of Wellington, c. 1819And 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, 1791Revolutions have never lightened the burden of tyranny, they have only shifted it to another shoulder.
—George Bernard Shaw, 1903Revolution begins in putting on bright colors.
—Tennessee Williams, 1944