Robespierre Quotes by Hilary Mantel

“The prose,” Robespierre said. “It’s so clean, no conceits, no show, no wit. He means every word. Formerly, you see, he meant…

— Hilary Mantel

“People said— though this felt like a heresy— that they had seen Camille make Robespierre laugh.”

— Hilary Mantel

“Robespierre has never forgiven his friends the injuries he has done them, nor the kindnesses he has received from them, nor the…

— Hilary Mantel

“The Robespierre women (as one tended to think of them now) were all on display. Madame looked actively, rather intimidatingly benevolent; it…

— Hilary Mantel

“Ask Robespierre. Ask the man with the conscience which is more important, your friend or your country— ask him how he weighs…

— Hilary Mantel

“This is Maximilien de Robespierre, barrister-at-law: unmarried, personable, a young man with all his life before him. Today against his most deeply…

— Hilary Mantel

“DANTON: Could you indeed? It's you idealists who make the best tyrants. ROBESPIERRE: It seems a bit late to be having this…

— Hilary Mantel

“You must, of course. Robespierre doesn’t lie or cheat or steal, doesn’t get drunk, doesn’t fornicate—overmuch. He’s not a hedonist or a…

— Hilary Mantel

“...and I sometimes think that the fading out of the individual personality is what one should desire, not the status of a…

— Hilary Mantel

“I resent you—” Robespierre said. His words were lost. “The People,” he shouted, “are everywhere good, and if they obstruct the Revolution—even,…

— Hilary Mantel

“In the Convention tomorrow I shall put him up to confront Saint-Just. Imagine it. Our man the picture of starched rectitude, and…

— Hilary Mantel

“Inside his copy of The Social Contract he keeps a letter from a young Picard, an enthusiast called Antoine Saint-Just: “I know…

— Hilary Mantel

“Talking to Robespierre, one tried to make the right noises; but what is right, these days? Address yourself to the militant, and…

— Hilary Mantel

“The Republic is six months old, and it’s flying apart. It has no cohesive force—only a monarchy has that. Surely you can…

— Hilary Mantel

“In Paris the swaying lanterns are lit in the streets; lights shine through water, fuzzy, diffuse. Saint-Just sits by an insufficient fire,…

— Hilary Mantel

“As the year goes on, certain deputies—and others, high in public life—will appear unshaven, without coat or cravat; or they will jettison…

— Hilary Mantel