---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In every Revolution a dictator is needed…"
description: "\"In every Revolution a dictator is needed to save the state by force, or censors to save it by virtue.\" — Louis Antoine de Saint-Just"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/330/louis-antoine-de-saint-just-20_dictator_in-every-revolution-a-dictator-is-needed_1590981.jpg"
---

#  In every Revolution a dictator is needed to save the state…

![“In every Revolution a dictator is needed to save the state by force, or censors to save it by virtue.” quote by Louis Antoine de Saint-Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/330/louis-antoine-de-saint-just-20_dictator_in-every-revolution-a-dictator-is-needed_1590981.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/330/louis-antoine-de-saint-just-20_dictator_in-every-revolution-a-dictator-is-needed_1590981.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/330/louis-antoine-de-saint-just-20_dictator_in-every-revolution-a-dictator-is-needed_1590981.jpg)

> “In every Revolution a dictator is needed to save the state by force, or censors to save it by virtue.”

[Louis Antoine de Saint-Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-antoine-de-saint-just/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A revolution must replace an old regime with a new order, often requiring forceful authority or moral censorship to stabilize society.

**In simple terms:** Revolutions need strong control to maintain order.

Key Takeaway

Balance power with accountability.

Themes

politics revolution authority stability ethics

Mood

tense reflective

Type

political philosophical

When to use this quote

- government transition
- post‑revolution reconstruction
- media regulation
- public safety

Key Concepts

social contract power dynamics legitimacy

Questions to Reflect On

- Is coercive control ever justified for stability?
- How can societies protect liberty while preventing chaos?

A Different Perspective

Force can suppress dissent and erode freedoms.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Dictator](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dictator/) [Revolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revolution/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/)

## Related quotes

> [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/)

[Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/)

> [The Globe reports that North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Il raises money by selling fake Viagra pills. What it is about this guy? None of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/the-globe-reports-that-north-korean-dictator-kim-jong-il-raises-money/)

[Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/)

> [I'm the type of actor that believes the director has to be in charge. I've been on sets where the actor's ego was the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-teller/i-m-the-type-of-actor-that-believes-the-director-has-to-be-in-charge/)

[Miles Teller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miles-teller/)

> [The only peace that can be made with a dictator is once that must be based on deterrence. For today, the dictator may be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natan-sharansky/the-only-peace-that-can-be-made-with-a-dictator-is-once-that-must-be/)

[Natan Sharansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natan-sharansky/)

> [ We have the ability to take him \[President of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez\] out, and I think the time has come that we exercise that… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-robertson/we-have-the-ability-to-take-him-president-of-venezuela-hugo-chavez/)

[Pat Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-robertson/)

> [A strong saying is not afraid of criticism, because it includes all the answers to criticism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/a-strong-saying-is-not-afraid-of-criticism-because-it-includes-all/)

[Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/)

> [You know Kim Jong Un, the evil dictator of North Korea? Apparently, a guy in his inner circle used his ashtray while smoking and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-letterman/you-know-kim-jong-un-the-evil-dictator-of-north-korea-apparently-a/)

[David Letterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-letterman/)

> [As Americans, we want peace - we work and sacrifice for peace. But there can be no peace if our security depends on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/as-americans-we-want-peace-we-work-and-sacrifice-for-peace-but-there/)

[George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/)

> [Your best friends are your principles, if you havent them, dont look for another friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/your-best-friends-are-your-principles-if-you-havent-them-dont-look/)

[Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/)

> [The problem was Le Corbusier was a genius and an enormous artist, but he tried to resolve problems to which there is no solution.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leon-krier/the-problem-was-le-corbusier-was-a-genius-and-an-enormous-artist-but/)

[Leon Krier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leon-krier/)

> [Motherland is our property and we have right to handle our properties as pleased. The jokes about death for the sake of the motherland…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/motherland-is-our-property-and-we-have-right-to-handle-our-properties/)

[Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/)

> [Joe Paterno was a dictator.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-erickson/joe-paterno-was-a-dictator/)

[Rodney Erickson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-erickson/)

> [When you stop a dictator, there are always risks. But there are greater risks in not stopping a dictator.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/when-you-stop-a-dictator-there-are-always-risks-but-there-are-greater/)

[Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/)

> [History has often showed us the strength of the forces that are unleashed by the yearning for freedom. It moved people to overcome their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-merkel/history-has-often-showed-us-the-strength-of-the-forces-that-are/)

[Angela Merkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-merkel/)

> [I started understanding that my strength is my gentleness. A leader isn't a dictator, a leader is a servant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-gaskins/i-started-understanding-that-my-strength-is-my-gentleness-a-leader/)

[Tony Gaskins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-gaskins/)

## More by Louis Antoine de Saint-Just

> [One cannot reign innocently: the insanity of doing so is evident. Every king is a rebel and a usurper.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-antoine-de-saint-just/one-cannot-reign-innocently-the-insanity-of-doing-so-is-evident-every/)

[Louis Antoine de Saint-Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-antoine-de-saint-just/)

> [A nation regenerates itself only upon heaps of corpses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-antoine-de-saint-just/a-nation-regenerates-itself-only-upon-heaps-of-corpses/)

[Louis Antoine de Saint-Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-antoine-de-saint-just/)

> [It is time that we labored for the happiness of the people. Legislators who are to bring light and order into the world must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-antoine-de-saint-just/it-is-time-that-we-labored-for-the-happiness-of-the-people/)

[Louis Antoine de Saint-Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-antoine-de-saint-just/)

> [It has always seemed to me that the social order was implicit in the very nature of things, and required nothing more from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-antoine-de-saint-just/it-has-always-seemed-to-me-that-the-social-order-was-implicit-in-the/)

[Louis Antoine de Saint-Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-antoine-de-saint-just/)

> [What produces the general good is always terrible or seems bizarre when begun too soon. The Revolution must stop when it has perfected public…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-antoine-de-saint-just/what-produces-the-general-good-is-always-terrible-or-seems-bizarre/)

[Louis Antoine de Saint-Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-antoine-de-saint-just/)

> [The Revolution has grown cold; all its principles are weakened; there remains only red caps worn by intriguers. The exercise of terror has made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-antoine-de-saint-just/the-revolution-has-grown-cold-all-its-principles-are-weakened-there/)

[Louis Antoine de Saint-Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-antoine-de-saint-just/)

> [Most arts have produced miracles, while the art of government has produced nothing but monsters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-antoine-de-saint-just/most-arts-have-produced-miracles-while-the-art-of-government-has/)

[Louis Antoine de Saint-Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-antoine-de-saint-just/)

> [When a people, having become free, establish wise laws, their revolution is complete... Peace and prosperity, public virtue, victory, everything is in the vigor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-antoine-de-saint-just/when-a-people-having-become-free-establish-wise-laws-their-revolution/)

[Louis Antoine de Saint-Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-antoine-de-saint-just/)

> [When a people, having become free, establish wise laws, their revolution is complete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-antoine-de-saint-just/when-a-people-having-become-free-establish-wise-laws-their-revolution-2/)

[Louis Antoine de Saint-Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-antoine-de-saint-just/)

> [In the circumstances in which the Republic finds itself, the constitution cannot be inaugurated; it would destroy itself. The provisional government of France is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-antoine-de-saint-just/in-the-circumstances-in-which-the-republic-finds-itself-the/)

[Louis Antoine de Saint-Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-antoine-de-saint-just/)

> [The legislator commands the future; to be feeble will avail him nothing: it is for him to will what is good and to perpetuate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-antoine-de-saint-just/the-legislator-commands-the-future-to-be-feeble-will-avail-him/)

[Louis Antoine de Saint-Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-antoine-de-saint-just/)

> [Keep cool and you command everybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-antoine-de-saint-just/keep-cool-and-you-command-everybody/)

[Louis Antoine de Saint-Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-antoine-de-saint-just/)

> [Happiness is a new idea in Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-antoine-de-saint-just/happiness-is-a-new-idea-in-europe/)

[Louis Antoine de Saint-Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-antoine-de-saint-just/)

> [You who make the laws, the vices and the virtues of the people will be your work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-antoine-de-saint-just/you-who-make-the-laws-the-vices-and-the-virtues-of-the-people-will-be/)

[Louis Antoine de Saint-Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-antoine-de-saint-just/)

> [I have not found a single good man in government; I have found good only in the people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-antoine-de-saint-just/i-have-not-found-a-single-good-man-in-government-i-have-found-good/)

[Louis Antoine de Saint-Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-antoine-de-saint-just/)

[Explore all 31 Louis Antoine de Saint-Just quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-antoine-de-saint-just/)

## More Dictator quotes

> [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/)

[Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/)

> [History has often showed us the strength of the forces that are unleashed by the yearning for freedom. It moved people to overcome their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-merkel/history-has-often-showed-us-the-strength-of-the-forces-that-are/)

[Angela Merkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-merkel/)

> [When you stop a dictator, there are always risks. But there are greater risks in not stopping a dictator.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/when-you-stop-a-dictator-there-are-always-risks-but-there-are-greater/)

[Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/)

> [Joe Paterno was a dictator.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-erickson/joe-paterno-was-a-dictator/)

[Rodney Erickson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-erickson/)

> [Motherland is our property and we have right to handle our properties as pleased. The jokes about death for the sake of the motherland…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/motherland-is-our-property-and-we-have-right-to-handle-our-properties/)

[Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/)

> [The problem was Le Corbusier was a genius and an enormous artist, but he tried to resolve problems to which there is no solution.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leon-krier/the-problem-was-le-corbusier-was-a-genius-and-an-enormous-artist-but/)

[Leon Krier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leon-krier/)

> [Your best friends are your principles, if you havent them, dont look for another friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/your-best-friends-are-your-principles-if-you-havent-them-dont-look/)

[Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/)

> [As Americans, we want peace - we work and sacrifice for peace. But there can be no peace if our security depends on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/as-americans-we-want-peace-we-work-and-sacrifice-for-peace-but-there/)

[George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/)

> [You know Kim Jong Un, the evil dictator of North Korea? Apparently, a guy in his inner circle used his ashtray while smoking and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-letterman/you-know-kim-jong-un-the-evil-dictator-of-north-korea-apparently-a/)

[David Letterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-letterman/)

> [A strong saying is not afraid of criticism, because it includes all the answers to criticism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/a-strong-saying-is-not-afraid-of-criticism-because-it-includes-all/)

[Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/)

> [ We have the ability to take him \[President of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez\] out, and I think the time has come that we exercise that… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-robertson/we-have-the-ability-to-take-him-president-of-venezuela-hugo-chavez/)

[Pat Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-robertson/)

> [The only peace that can be made with a dictator is once that must be based on deterrence. For today, the dictator may be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natan-sharansky/the-only-peace-that-can-be-made-with-a-dictator-is-once-that-must-be/)

[Natan Sharansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natan-sharansky/)

> [I'm the type of actor that believes the director has to be in charge. I've been on sets where the actor's ego was the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-teller/i-m-the-type-of-actor-that-believes-the-director-has-to-be-in-charge/)

[Miles Teller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miles-teller/)

> [The Globe reports that North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Il raises money by selling fake Viagra pills. What it is about this guy? None of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/the-globe-reports-that-north-korean-dictator-kim-jong-il-raises-money/)

[Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/)

> [I started understanding that my strength is my gentleness. A leader isn't a dictator, a leader is a servant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-gaskins/i-started-understanding-that-my-strength-is-my-gentleness-a-leader/)

[Tony Gaskins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-gaskins/)

[Browse all 771 Dictator quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dictator/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "In every Revolution a dictator is needed to save the state by force, or censors to save it by virtue.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Louis Antoine de Saint-Just"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-antoine-de-saint-just/in-every-revolution-a-dictator-is-needed-to-save-the-state-by-force/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Dictator"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-antoine-de-saint-just/in-every-revolution-a-dictator-is-needed-to-save-the-state-by-force/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/330/louis-antoine-de-saint-just-20_dictator_in-every-revolution-a-dictator-is-needed_1590981.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/330/louis-antoine-de-saint-just-20_dictator_in-every-revolution-a-dictator-is-needed_1590981.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/330/louis-antoine-de-saint-just-20_dictator_in-every-revolution-a-dictator-is-needed_1590981.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“In every Revolution a dictator is needed to save the state by force, or censors to save it by virtue.” — Louis Antoine de Saint-Just",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Louis Antoine de Saint-Just",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-antoine-de-saint-just/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "In every Revolution a dictator is...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-antoine-de-saint-just/in-every-revolution-a-dictator-is-needed-to-save-the-state-by-force/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-antoine-de-saint-just/in-every-revolution-a-dictator-is-needed-to-save-the-state-by-force/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```