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.

To 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.

Insurrection of thought always precedes insurrection of arms.

If not us, who? If not now, when?

The brutalities of progress are called revolutions. When they are over we realize this: that the human has been roughly handled, but that it has advanced.

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.

It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees.

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

The main object of a revolution is the liberation of man, not the interpretation and application of some transcendental ideology.