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37 Mind-Blowing Quotes By Maximilien Robespierre

Famous As: French Lawyer and Statesman & One of the Most Influential Figures of the 'French Revolution'
Born On: May 6, 1758
Died On: July 28, 1794
Born In: Arras, France
Died At Age: 36

Maximilien Robespierre was an eminent French politician and lawyer. He was one of the most influential figures associated with the ‘Reign Of Terror’ and the ‘French Revolution’. He served as a member of the ‘Committee of Public Safety’. The writings and thoughts of Jean-Jacques Rousseau greatly influenced Robespierre which developed strong moral values in him. Robespierre advocated the quashing of slavery and also opposed death penalty. He also became the President of the powerful Jacobin political faction. A controversial figure, Robespierre was a capable articulator and his thoughts, words, views and opinions are still quoted broadly. Following is a list of quotes and sayings by Maximilien Robespierre that will give you a glimpse of his political thoughts.

Omelets are not made without breaking eggs.

Omelets are not made without breaking eggs.

Maximilien Robespierre
You can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs.

You can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Maximilien Robespierre
The king must die so that the country can live.

The king must die so that the country can live.

Maximilien Robespierre
A true revolutionary should be ready to perish in the process

A true revolutionary should be ready to perish in the process

Maximilien Robespierre
A sensibility that wails almost exclusively over the enemies of liberty seems suspect to me. Stop shaking the tyrant's bloody robe in my face, or I will believe that you wish to put Rome in chains.

A sensibility that wails almost exclusively over the enemies of liberty seems suspect to me. Stop shaking the tyrant's bloody robe in my face, or I will believe that you wish to put Rome in chains.

Maximilien Robespierre
No one loves armed missionaries.

No one loves armed missionaries.

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

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

Maximilien Robespierre

Terror is only justice: prompt, severe and inflexible; it is then an emanation of virtue; it is less a distinct principle than a natural consequence of the general principle of democracy, applied to the most pressing wants of the country.

Maximilien Robespierre
Our revolution has made me feel the full force of the axiom that history is fiction and I am convinced that chance and intrigue have produced more heroes than genius and virtue.

Our revolution has made me feel the full force of the axiom that history is fiction and I am convinced that chance and intrigue have produced more heroes than genius and virtue.

Maximilien Robespierre
Pity is treason.

Pity is treason.

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

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

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

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

Maximilien Robespierre
Softness to traitors will destroy us all.

Softness to traitors will destroy us all.

Maximilien Robespierre

Smuggle out the truth, pass it through all the obstacles that its enemies fabricate; multiply, spread by all means possible her message so that she may triumph; through zeal and civic action counterbalance the influence of money and the machinations lavished on the propagation of deception. That, in my opinion, is the most useful activity and the most sacred duty of pure patriotism.

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

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

Maximilien Robespierre

It has been said that terror is the principle of despotic government. Does your government therefore resemble despotism? Yes, as the sword that gleams in the hands of the heroes of liberty resembles that with which the henchmen of tyranny are armed ... The government of the revolution is liberty's despotism against tyranny. Is force made only to protect crime

Maximilien Robespierre
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

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

Maximilien Robespierre

Peoples do not judge in the same way as courts of law; they do not hand down sentences, they throw thunderbolts; they do not condemn kings, they drop them back into the void; and this justice is worth just as much as that of the courts.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Maximilien Robespierre
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.

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.

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

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

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

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

Maximilien Robespierre
We must smother the internal and external enemies of the Republic or perish with it; now in this situation, the first maxim of your policy ought to be to lead the people by reason and the people's enemies by terror.

We must smother the internal and external enemies of the Republic or perish with it; now in this situation, the first maxim of your policy ought to be to lead the people by reason and the people's enemies by terror.

Maximilien Robespierre
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.

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.

Maximilien Robespierre
The revolutionary government owes to the good citizen all the protection of the nation; it owes nothing to the Enemies of the People but death.

The revolutionary government owes to the good citizen all the protection of the nation; it owes nothing to the Enemies of the People but death.

Maximilien Robespierre