Maximilien Robespierre

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

— Maximilien Robespierre

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

— Maximilien Robespierre

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

— Maximilien Robespierre

It has been said that terror is the principle of despotic government. Does your government therefore resemble despotism? Yes, as the sword…

— Maximilien Robespierre

Smuggle out the truth, pass it through all the obstacles that its enemies fabricate; multiply, spread by all means possible her message…

— Maximilien Robespierre

Omelets are not made without breaking eggs.

— Maximilien Robespierre

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

— Maximilien Robespierre

Establish liberty on a rock of brass.

— Maximilien Robespierre

Pity is treason.

— Maximilien Robespierre

The revolution is the war of liberty against its enemies. The constitution is the rule of liberty against its enemies. The constitution…

— Maximilien Robespierre

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

— Maximilien Robespierre

Formerly, when a king died at Versailles the reign of his successor was immediately announced by the cry: "The king is dead,…

— Maximilien Robespierre

Food that is necessary for man’s existence is as sacred as life itself. Everything that is indispensable for its preservation is the…

— Maximilien Robespierre

lf the attribute of popular government in peace is virtue, the attribute of popular government in revolution is at one and the…

— Maximilien Robespierre

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

— Maximilien Robespierre

Softness to traitors will destroy us all.

— Maximilien Robespierre

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

— Maximilien Robespierre

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

— Maximilien Robespierre

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

— Maximilien Robespierre

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

— Maximilien Robespierre

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

— Maximilien Robespierre

The king must die so that the country can live.

— Maximilien Robespierre

Citizens, did you want a revolution without revolution?

— Maximilien Robespierre

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

— Maximilien Robespierre

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

— Maximilien Robespierre