Authors: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

130 Joseph Stalin Quotes That Reflect His Thoughts On Freedom, Power, War And More

Famous As: Soviet Political Leader & Dictator Who Led the Soviet Union from 1922 Until His Death in 1953
Born On: December 18, 1878
Died On: March 5, 1953
Born In: Gori, Georgia
Died At Age: 74

Joseph Stalin was a Soviet revolutionary and political leader. He governed the Soviet Union as its dictator. He was drawn to the ideals of Vladimir Lenin and became a member of the Bolshevik Party. Soon he made a place for himself with his organizational capability and played an eminent role during the ‘October Revolution’. Later, when Bolsheviks soared to power, he succeeded in rising through the ranks and became party’s ‘General Secretary’. He first used his post to consolidate his position and then to eliminate all his rivals to become the supreme leader of the country, continuing to rule Russia with an iron hand till his death at the age of seventy-four. We have compiled some popular thoughts and quotes by Joseph Stalin. Read through the quotes and sayings by Joseph Stalin that will give you a glimpse of his politically sane mind.

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A single death is a tragedy; a million deaths is a statistic.

A single death is a tragedy; a million deaths is a statistic.

Joseph Stalin
It is enough that the people know there was an election. The people who cast the votes decide nothing. The people who count the votes decide everything.

It is enough that the people know there was an election. The people who cast the votes decide nothing. The people who count the votes decide everything.

Joseph Stalin
The people who cast the votes don't decide an election, the people who count the votes do.

The people who cast the votes don't decide an election, the people who count the votes do.

Joseph Stalin
Ideas are more powerful than guns. We would not let our enemies have guns, why should we let them have ideas.

Ideas are more powerful than guns. We would not let our enemies have guns, why should we let them have ideas.

Joseph Stalin
When we hang the capitalists they will sell us the rope we use.

When we hang the capitalists they will sell us the rope we use.

Joseph Stalin
Education is a weapon whose effects depend on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed.

Education is a weapon whose effects depend on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed.

Joseph Stalin

Mankind is divided into rich and poor, into property owners and exploited; and to abstract oneself from this fundamental division; and from the antagonism between poor and rich means abstracting oneself from fundamental facts.

Joseph Stalin
Everybody has a right to be stupid, but some people abuse the privilege.

Everybody has a right to be stupid, but some people abuse the privilege.

Joseph Stalin
I trust no one, not even myself.

I trust no one, not even myself.

Joseph Stalin
Gratitude is a sickness suffered by dogs.

Gratitude is a sickness suffered by dogs.

Joseph Stalin
Everyone imposes his own system as far as his army can reach.

Everyone imposes his own system as far as his army can reach.

Joseph Stalin
The Pope? How many divisions has he got?

The Pope? How many divisions has he got?

Joseph Stalin
Gaiety is the most outstanding feature of the Soviet Union.

Gaiety is the most outstanding feature of the Soviet Union.

Joseph Stalin
The writer is the engineer of the human soul.

The writer is the engineer of the human soul.

Joseph Stalin
Those who vote decide nothing. Those who count the vote decide everything.

Those who vote decide nothing. Those who count the vote decide everything.

Joseph Stalin
Print is the sharpest and the strongest weapon of our party.

Print is the sharpest and the strongest weapon of our party.

Joseph Stalin

By May, 1st, 1937, there should not be one single church left within the borders of Soviet Russia, and the idea of God will have been banished from the Soviet Union as a remnant of the Middle Ages, which has been used for the purpose of oppressing the working classes.

Joseph Stalin
If any foreign minister begins to defend to the death a 'peace conference', you can be sure his government has already placed its orders for new battleships and airplanes.

If any foreign minister begins to defend to the death a 'peace conference', you can be sure his government has already placed its orders for new battleships and airplanes.

Joseph Stalin
If the opposition disarms, well and good. If it refuses to disarm, we shall disarm it ourselves.

If the opposition disarms, well and good. If it refuses to disarm, we shall disarm it ourselves.

Joseph Stalin
A sincere diplomat is like dry water or wooden iron.

A sincere diplomat is like dry water or wooden iron.

Joseph Stalin

It is difficult for me to imagine what “personal liberty” is enjoyed by an unemployed hungry person. True freedom can only be where there is no exploitation and oppression of one person by another; where there is not unemployment, and where a person is not living in fear of losing his job, his home and his bread. Only in such a society personal and any other freedom can exist for real and not on paper.

Joseph Stalin
Great Britain provided time; the United States provided money and Soviet Russia provided blood.

Great Britain provided time; the United States provided money and Soviet Russia provided blood.

Joseph Stalin
It's not the people who vote that count. It's the people who count the votes.

It's not the people who vote that count. It's the people who count the votes.

Joseph Stalin

Divide the world into regional groups as a transitional stage to world government. Populations will more readily abandon their national loyalty to a vague regional loyalty than they will for a world authority. Later the regions can be brought together all the way into a single world dictatorship.

Joseph Stalin
To choose one's victims, to prepare one's plan minutely, to slake an implacable vengeance, and then to go to bed ...  There is nothing sweeter in the world.

To choose one's victims, to prepare one's plan minutely, to slake an implacable vengeance, and then to go to bed ... There is nothing sweeter in the world.

Joseph Stalin

In speaking of the capitalists who strive only for profit, only to get rich, I do not want to say that these are the most worthless people capable of doing nothing else. Many of them undoubtedly possess great organising talent, which I would not dream of denying. We Soviet people learn a lot from the capitalists. But if you mean people who are prepared to reconstruct the world, of course you will not be able to find them in the ranks of those who faithfully serve the cause of profit. ..The capitalist is riveted in profit and nothing can tear him away from it.

Joseph Stalin

Real liberty exists only there where exploitation has been annihilated, where no oppression of some peoples by others exists, where there is no unemployment and pauperism, where a person does not tremble because tomorrow he may lose his job, home and bread.

Joseph Stalin
The production of souls is more important than the production of tanks.... And therefore I raise my glass to you, writers, the engineers of the human soul.

The production of souls is more important than the production of tanks.... And therefore I raise my glass to you, writers, the engineers of the human soul.

Joseph Stalin

World War II was fought for the abolition of racial exclusiveness, equality of nations and the integrity of their territories, liberation of enslaved nations and restoration of their sovereign rights, the right of every nation to arrange its affairs as it wishes, economic aid to nations that have suffered and assistance to them in attaining their material welfare, restoration of democratic liberties, and destruction of the Hitlerite regime.

Joseph Stalin

World dictatorship can be established only when the victory of socialism has been achieved in certain countries or groups of countries ... [and] when these federation of republics have finally grown into a world union of Soviet Socialist Republics uniting the whole of mankind under the hegemony of the international proletariat organized as a state.

Joseph Stalin
A man's eyes should be torn out if he can only see the past

A man's eyes should be torn out if he can only see the past

Joseph Stalin

As we know, the goal of every struggle is victory. But if the proletariat is to achieve victory, all the workers, irrespective of nationality , must be united. Clearly, the demolition of national barriers and close unity between the Russian, Georgian, Armenian, Polish, Jewish and other proletarians is a necessary condition for the victory of the proletariat of all Russia.

Joseph Stalin

Anti-Semitism is dangerous for the toilers, for it is a false track which diverts them from the proper road and leads them into the jungle. Hence, Communists, as consistent internationalists, cannot but be irreconcilable and bitter enemies of anti-Semitism. In the U.S.S.R., anti-Semitism is strictly prosecuted as a phenomenon hostile to the Soviet system. According to the laws of the U.S.S.R. active anti-Semites are punished with death.

Joseph Stalin
It takes a brave man to be a coward in the Red Army.

It takes a brave man to be a coward in the Red Army.

Joseph Stalin
A lot of times, I can turn and pass without even looking.

A lot of times, I can turn and pass without even looking.

Joseph Stalin
The only way a kid is going to practise is if it's total fun for him... and it was for me.

The only way a kid is going to practise is if it's total fun for him... and it was for me.

Joseph Stalin
He who votes does not have power. He who counts the votes has power.

He who votes does not have power. He who counts the votes has power.

Joseph Stalin
We are fifty or a hundred years behind the advanced countries. We must make good this distance in ten years. Either we do it, or they will crush us.

We are fifty or a hundred years behind the advanced countries. We must make good this distance in ten years. Either we do it, or they will crush us.

Joseph Stalin
Die, but do not retreat.

Die, but do not retreat.

Joseph Stalin
Nobody respects a country with a poor army, but everybody respects a country with a good army. I raise my toast to the Finnish army

Nobody respects a country with a poor army, but everybody respects a country with a good army. I raise my toast to the Finnish army

Joseph Stalin
Ideas are far more powerful than guns. We don't let our people have guns. Why should we let them have ideas?

Ideas are far more powerful than guns. We don't let our people have guns. Why should we let them have ideas?

Joseph Stalin
We [U.S.S.R. and U.S.A.] can exist peacefully together if we don't indulge in too much mutual fault-finding in all kinds of trifles.

We [U.S.S.R. and U.S.A.] can exist peacefully together if we don't indulge in too much mutual fault-finding in all kinds of trifles.

Joseph Stalin
How do you expect the Germans to revolt when they don't even dare walk on the grass?

How do you expect the Germans to revolt when they don't even dare walk on the grass?

Joseph Stalin
The Red Army and Navy and the whole Soviet people must fight for every inch of Soviet soil, fight to the last drop of blood for our towns and villages...onward, to victory!

The Red Army and Navy and the whole Soviet people must fight for every inch of Soviet soil, fight to the last drop of blood for our towns and villages...onward, to victory!

Joseph Stalin
The leaders come and go, but the people remain. Only the people are immortal.

The leaders come and go, but the people remain. Only the people are immortal.

Joseph Stalin
Ah, these diplomats! What chatterboxes! There's only one way to shut them up - cut them down with machine guns. Bulganin, go and get me one!

Ah, these diplomats! What chatterboxes! There's only one way to shut them up - cut them down with machine guns. Bulganin, go and get me one!

Joseph Stalin
You do not lament the loss of hair of one who has been beheaded.

You do not lament the loss of hair of one who has been beheaded.

Joseph Stalin
[After Communism succeeds] ...then, there will come a peace across the earth.

[After Communism succeeds] ...then, there will come a peace across the earth.

Joseph Stalin
Do you remember the tsar? Well, I‘m like a tsar.

Do you remember the tsar? Well, I‘m like a tsar.

Joseph Stalin
In war I would deal with the Devil and his grandmother

In war I would deal with the Devil and his grandmother

Joseph Stalin
The United States should get rid of its militias.

The United States should get rid of its militias.

Joseph Stalin
Artillery is the god of war.

Artillery is the god of war.

Joseph Stalin
The Jews are not a nation!

The Jews are not a nation!

Joseph Stalin
Education is a weapon, whose effect depends on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed.

Education is a weapon, whose effect depends on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed.

Joseph Stalin

Obviously these [white-guard] emigres enjoy the right of asylum existing also in the U.S. So far as we are concerned we would never tolerate a single terrorist in our territory regardless against whom he would contemplate his crimes. Apparently the right of asylum receives broader interpretation in the U.S.A. than in our country.

Joseph Stalin
Remember how the first world war broke out. It broke out as a result of the desire to redivide the world.

Remember how the first world war broke out. It broke out as a result of the desire to redivide the world.

Joseph Stalin
In the future, there will be fewer but better Russians.

In the future, there will be fewer but better Russians.

Joseph Stalin
You know, they are fooling us, there is no God.

You know, they are fooling us, there is no God.

Joseph Stalin

Is it possible, then, to doubt that we can and must gain victory over the German invaders? The enemy is not as strong as some terror-stricken pseudo-intellectuals picture him. The devil is not as terrible as he is painted.

Joseph Stalin
I know that after my death a pile of rubbish will be heaped on my grave, but the wind of History will sooner or later sweep it away without mercy.

I know that after my death a pile of rubbish will be heaped on my grave, but the wind of History will sooner or later sweep it away without mercy.

Joseph Stalin
There is not, nor should there be, an irreconcilable contrast between the individual and the collective, between the interests of an individual person and the interests of the collective.

There is not, nor should there be, an irreconcilable contrast between the individual and the collective, between the interests of an individual person and the interests of the collective.

Joseph Stalin
Words are one thing - deeds something entirely different. Fine words are a mask to cover shady deeds. A sincere diplomat is like dry water or wooden iron.

Words are one thing - deeds something entirely different. Fine words are a mask to cover shady deeds. A sincere diplomat is like dry water or wooden iron.

Joseph Stalin

Marxism is not only the theory of socialism, it is an integral world outlook, a philosophical system, from which Marx’s proletarian socialism logically follows. This philosophical system is called dialectical materialism.

Joseph Stalin
We desire to give the Soviet people absolute liberty of voting for those they desire to elect, those whom they trust to ensure their interests.

We desire to give the Soviet people absolute liberty of voting for those they desire to elect, those whom they trust to ensure their interests.

Joseph Stalin
Of all the treasures a state can possess, the human lives of its citizens are for us the most precious.

Of all the treasures a state can possess, the human lives of its citizens are for us the most precious.

Joseph Stalin

Have not fascism in Italy and National Socialism in Germany claimed that they have attained similar results [as in U.S.S.R.]? Have not both been achieved at the price of privation and personal liberty sacrificed for the good of the state?

Joseph Stalin
The press must grow day in and day out - it is our Party's sharpest and most powerful weapon.

The press must grow day in and day out - it is our Party's sharpest and most powerful weapon.

Joseph Stalin

The art of leadership is a serious matter. One must not lag behind a movement, because to do so is to become isolated from the masses. But one must not rush ahead, for to rush ahead is to lose contact with the masses. He who wished to lead a movement must conduct a fight on two fronts--against those who lag behind and those who rush ahead.

Joseph Stalin
This creature softened my heart of stone. She died and with her died my last warm feelings for humanity.

This creature softened my heart of stone. She died and with her died my last warm feelings for humanity.

Joseph Stalin

At this point the question of Ukraine is the most important. The situation in Ukraine is very bad. If we don't take steps now to improve the situation, we may lose Ukraine. The objective should be to transform Ukraine , in the shortest period of time, into a real fortress of the U.S.S.R.

Joseph Stalin
As you can see, even when [Adolf] Hitler desires to speak for peace, he cannot dispense with threats. This is symptomatic.

As you can see, even when [Adolf] Hitler desires to speak for peace, he cannot dispense with threats. This is symptomatic.

Joseph Stalin
It is not heroes that make history, but history that makes heroes.

It is not heroes that make history, but history that makes heroes.

Joseph Stalin
This war is not an ordinary war. It is the war of the entire Russian people. Not only to eliminate the danger hanging over our heads, but to aid all people groaning under the yoke of Fascism

This war is not an ordinary war. It is the war of the entire Russian people. Not only to eliminate the danger hanging over our heads, but to aid all people groaning under the yoke of Fascism

Joseph Stalin
One death is a tragedy. A million is a statistic.

One death is a tragedy. A million is a statistic.

Joseph Stalin
History has shown there are no invincible armies.

History has shown there are no invincible armies.

Joseph Stalin
When you chop wood, splinters fly

When you chop wood, splinters fly

Joseph Stalin
Each position, each metre of the Soviet territory must be stubbornly defended, to the last drop of blood. We must cling to every inch of Soviet soil and defend it to the end!

Each position, each metre of the Soviet territory must be stubbornly defended, to the last drop of blood. We must cling to every inch of Soviet soil and defend it to the end!

Joseph Stalin
The reason why there is now no communist government in Paris is because in the circumstances of 1945 the Soviet army was not able to reach French soil.

The reason why there is now no communist government in Paris is because in the circumstances of 1945 the Soviet army was not able to reach French soil.

Joseph Stalin
When one man dies it is a tragedy, when thousands die it's statistics.

When one man dies it is a tragedy, when thousands die it's statistics.

Joseph Stalin
Death is the solution to all problems. No man - no problem.

Death is the solution to all problems. No man - no problem.

Joseph Stalin
When there's a person, there's a problem. When there's no person, there's no problem.
Josef Stalin

When there's a person, there's a problem. When there's no person, there's no problem. Josef Stalin

Joseph Stalin
Our new Soviet constitution will, in my opinion, be the most democratic constitution of all those existing in the world.

Our new Soviet constitution will, in my opinion, be the most democratic constitution of all those existing in the world.

Joseph Stalin
Voters decide nothing. Vote counters decide everything!

Voters decide nothing. Vote counters decide everything!

Joseph Stalin
I believe in only one thing,the power of human will.

I believe in only one thing,the power of human will.

Joseph Stalin

Undoubtedly, our path is not of the easiest; but, just as undoubtedly, we are not to be frightened by difficulties. Paraphrasing from the well-known words of Luther, Russia might say: ‘Here I stand on the frontier between the old, capitalist world and the new, socialist world. Here on this frontier I unite the efforts of the proletarians of the West and of the peasantry of the East in order to shatter the old world. May the god of history be my aid!

Joseph Stalin
Nowadays wars are not declared. They simply start.

Nowadays wars are not declared. They simply start.

Joseph Stalin
A certain inequality in regard to property still exists in a socialist society. But in a socialist society there is no unemployment, no exploitation, no oppression of nationalities.

A certain inequality in regard to property still exists in a socialist society. But in a socialist society there is no unemployment, no exploitation, no oppression of nationalities.

Joseph Stalin
When one person dies, it's a tragedy, but when a million people die, it's a statistic.

When one person dies, it's a tragedy, but when a million people die, it's a statistic.

Joseph Stalin
People who cast the votes decide nothing. The people who count the votes decide everything.

People who cast the votes decide nothing. The people who count the votes decide everything.

Joseph Stalin
This war is not as in the past: whoever occupies a territory also imposes his own social system.

This war is not as in the past: whoever occupies a territory also imposes his own social system.

Joseph Stalin
Hitlers come and go, but Germany and the German people remain.

Hitlers come and go, but Germany and the German people remain.

Joseph Stalin
Gratitude is an illness suffered by dogs.

Gratitude is an illness suffered by dogs.

Joseph Stalin
We Marxists believe that revolution will occur in other countries, as well. But it will occur at a time when it will be considered possible or necessary by revolutionaries of those countries.

We Marxists believe that revolution will occur in other countries, as well. But it will occur at a time when it will be considered possible or necessary by revolutionaries of those countries.

Joseph Stalin
Music's a good thing, it calm the beast in the man.

Music's a good thing, it calm the beast in the man.

Joseph Stalin
American Communists have the opportunity to preach freely their ideas. It would be absolutely wrong to hold the Soviet government responsible for activities of the American Communists.

American Communists have the opportunity to preach freely their ideas. It would be absolutely wrong to hold the Soviet government responsible for activities of the American Communists.

Joseph Stalin
You cannot make a revolution with silk gloves.

You cannot make a revolution with silk gloves.

Joseph Stalin
Quantity has a quality all its own.

Quantity has a quality all its own.

Joseph Stalin
Take some exercise, try to recover the look of a human being.

Take some exercise, try to recover the look of a human being.

Joseph Stalin
Our Red Army now needs IL-2 aircraft like the air it breathes, like the bread it eats.

Our Red Army now needs IL-2 aircraft like the air it breathes, like the bread it eats.

Joseph Stalin
In the Soviet Union, it's takes more courage to retreat than advance.

In the Soviet Union, it's takes more courage to retreat than advance.

Joseph Stalin
It doesnt matter how many people vote, only who counts them.

It doesnt matter how many people vote, only who counts them.

Joseph Stalin

The situation is that in Germany capitalism has remained, classes and class struggle have remained which all the same will break into the open, which includes also the field of struggle of parties representing opposing classes just as it broke through in, let us say, Spain.

Joseph Stalin