Attributes Quote by Maximilien Robespierre
“lf the attribute of popular government in peace is virtue, the attribute of popular government in revolution is at one and the same time virtue and terror, virtue without which terror is fatal, terror without which virtue is impotent. The terror is nothing but justice, prompt, severe, inflexible; it is thus an emanation of virtue.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: The Terror, 1794
Virtue and terror are intertwined in revolutionary governance; virtue without terror is ineffective, terror without virtue is destructive, yet both stem from a pursuit of justice.
In simple terms: Revolutionary rule mixes moral ideals with harsh enforcement.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the moral trade‑offs of radical change.
Themes
politics
revolution
ethics
justice
power
Mood
cautionary
philosophical
Type
historical
political
When to use this quote
- political upheaval
- authoritarian regimes
- social reforms
- revolutionary movements
Key Concepts
Virtue theory
state violence
political legitimacy
Questions to Reflect On
- Is terror ever justified to uphold virtue?
- How can societies balance justice with compassion?
A Different Perspective
Excessive terror can undermine the very virtue it seeks to protect.
![“[V]irtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government.” quote by George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c64/george-washington-257_character_v-irtue-or-morality-is-a-necessary-sprin_325062.jpg)
