Revolutions never go backward.
—Thomas Skidmore, 1829Quotes
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, 1665Insurgents are like conquerors: they must go forward; the moment they are stopped, they are lost.
—Duke of Wellington, c. 1819Revolutions are not about trifles, but they are produced by trifles.
—Aristotle, c. 350 BCThose who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.
—John F. Kennedy, 1962Revolution can never be forecast; it cannot be foretold; it comes of itself. Revolution is brewing and is bound to flare up.
—Vladimir Lenin, 1918Every revolution by force only puts more violent means of enslavement into the hands of the persons in power.
—Leo Tolstoy, 1893Who draws his sword against his prince must throw away the scabbard.
—James Howell, 1659Those 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, 1580