Maximilien Robespierre Quotes

The secret of freedom lies in educating people, whereas the secret of tyranny is in keeping them ignorant.

To punish the oppressors of humanity is clemency; to forgive them is cruelty.

Any law which violates the inalienable rights of man is essentially unjust and tyrannical; it is not a law at all.

The king must die so that the country can live.

Softness to traitors will destroy us all.

Any institution which does not suppose the people good, and the magistrate corruptible, is evil.

Citizens, did you want a revolution without revolution?

When a Banker jumps out of a window, jump after him - that's where the money is.

By sealing our work with our blood, we may see at least the bright dawn of universal happiness.

The aim of constitutional government is to preserve the Republic; that of revolutionary government is to lay its foundation.

Terror is nothing more than justice, prompt, secure and inflexible.

The revolution is the war of liberty against its enemies. The constitution is the rule of liberty against its enemies. The constitution is the rule of liberty when victorious and peaceable.

One can...never create [freedom] by an invading force.

It is with regret that I pronounce the fatal truth: Louis ought to perish rather than a hundred thousand virtuous citizens; Louis must die that the country may live

Omelets are not made without breaking eggs.

Atheism is aristocratic; the idea of a great Being that watches over oppressed innocence and punishes triumphant crime is altogether popular.

Crime butchers innocence to secure a throne, and innocence struggles with all its might against the attempts of crime.

Terror is only justice: prompt, severe and inflexible. It is then an emanation of virtue.

The general will rules in society as the private will governs each separate individual.

Again, it may be said, that to love justice and equality the people need no great effort of virtue; it is sufficient that they love themselves.

No one loves armed missionaries; the first lesson of nature and prudence is to repulse them as enemies.

Is it to be thought unreasonable that the people, in atonement for wrongs of a century, demand the vengeance of a single day?

Terror is nothing else than justice, prompt, severe, inflexible.

Establish liberty on a rock of brass.

Atheism is aristocratic the idea of a great Being that watches over oppressed innocence and punishes triumphant crime is altogether popular.