The most radical revolutionary will become a conservative on the day after the revolution.
—Hannah Arendt, 1970Quotes
Revolutions never go backward.
—Thomas Skidmore, 1829The main object of a revolution is the liberation of man, not the interpretation and application of some transcendental ideology.
—Jean Genet, 1983I 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
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.
—Michel de Montaigne, 1580Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God.
—Benjamin Franklin, 1776Insurgents are like conquerors: they must go forward; the moment they are stopped, they are lost.
—Duke of Wellington, c. 1819Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.
—John F. Kennedy, 1962Who draws his sword against his prince must throw away the scabbard.
—James Howell, 1659