--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Citizens, did you want a revolution…" description: "\"Citizens, did you want a revolution without revolution?\" — Maximilien Robespierre" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc3/maximilien-robespierre-18159_citizens_citizens-did-you-want-a-revolution-witho_1677398.jpg" --- # Citizens, did you want a revolution without revolution? ![“Citizens, did you want a revolution without revolution?” quote by Maximilien Robespierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc3/maximilien-robespierre-18159_citizens_citizens-did-you-want-a-revolution-witho_1677398.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc3/maximilien-robespierre-18159_citizens_citizens-did-you-want-a-revolution-witho_1677398.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc3/maximilien-robespierre-18159_citizens_citizens-did-you-want-a-revolution-witho_1677398.jpg) > “Citizens, did you want a revolution without revolution?” [Maximilien Robespierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximilien-robespierre/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He questions the desire for change without the upheaval that truly drives it. **In simple terms:** Revolution requires real upheaval. Key Takeaway Accept necessary disruption for true change. Themes politics revolution change risk Mood serious urgent Type political philosophical When to use this quote - activism - policy reform - social movements - grassroots organizing Key Concepts social upheaval political theory Questions to Reflect On - Are you willing to endure conflict for change? - What alternatives exist to violent upheaval? A Different Perspective May ignore peaceful reform methods. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Citizens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/citizens/) [Citizens Did](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/citizens-did-922615/) [Revolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revolution/) [Revolution Revolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revolution-revolution-302327/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [Want Revolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want-revolution-654097/) ## Related quotes > [So people are talking about revolution. What a revolution it would be to have a woman president.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-albright/so-people-are-talking-about-revolution-what-a-revolution-it-would-be/) [Madeleine Albright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-albright/) > [We have the right of revolution. Revolution does not always have to be weapons and warfare; it's also about revolutionary ideas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-snowden/we-have-the-right-of-revolution-revolution-does-not-always-have-to-be/) [Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/) > [You say you want a revolution? Well, you know. We all want to change the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lennon/you-say-you-want-a-revolution-well-you-know-we-all-want-to-change-the/) [John Lennon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lennon/) > [“Do you want a revolution in science? Do what businesspeople do when they want a technological revolution: Just change the rules a bit. Let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-smolin/do-you-want-a-revolution-in-science-do-what-businesspeople-do-when/) [Lee Smolin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-smolin/) > [I don't want revolution in my country. The only way to change Russia without blood is evolution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ksenia-sobchak/i-don-t-want-revolution-in-my-country-the-only-way-to-change-russia/) [Ksenia Sobchak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ksenia-sobchak/) > [“You want a revolution, start murdering innocents.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-f-moonzajer/you-want-a-revolution-start-murdering-innocents/) [M.F. Moonzajer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-f-moonzajer/) > [I want to see a revolution of kindness, because what happens is, when you're kind and you give, it's infectious. You give one time,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-anne-tuohy/i-want-to-see-a-revolution-of-kindness-because-what-happens-is-when/) [Leigh Anne Tuohy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-anne-tuohy/) > [We know what we want. To us it means nothing that there is a Soviet Union somewhere in the world, for the sake of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buenaventura-durruti/we-know-what-we-want-to-us-it-means-nothing-that-there-is-a-soviet/) [Buenaventura Durruti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/buenaventura-durruti/) > [If thousands of Marathi people follow me that means they want revolution on Marathi land.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kjiva/if-thousands-of-marathi-people-follow-me-that-means-they-want/) [KJIVA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kjiva/) > [If I can not dance, I want no part in your revolution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-goldman/if-i-can-not-dance-i-want-no-part-in-your-revolution/) [Emma Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-goldman/) > [At times, I've referred to Christ's miracles, and have said, 'Well, Christ multiplied the fish and the loaves to feed the people. That is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fidel-castro/at-times-i-ve-referred-to-christ-s-miracles-and-have-said-well-christ/) [Fidel Castro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fidel-castro/) > [“If you want a revolution return to your childhood and kick out the bottom.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-want-a-revolution-return-to-your-childhood-and-kick-out-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“You are asking me to give up everything for a cause that isn't mine. I don't want to be part of any revolution. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherry-thomas/you-are-asking-me-to-give-up-everything-for-a-cause-that-isn-t-mine-i/) [Sherry Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherry-thomas/) > [If I can't dance, I don't want to be part of your revolution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-goldman/if-i-can-t-dance-i-don-t-want-to-be-part-of-your-revolution/) [Emma Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-goldman/) > [“If you want a revolution/grow a new mind/and do it quietly if you can”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-want-a-revolution-grow-a-new-mind-and-do-it-quietly-if-you-can/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Maximilien Robespierre > [The secret of freedom lies in educating people, whereas the secret of tyranny is in keeping them ignorant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/the-secret-of-freedom-lies-in-educating-people-whereas-the-secret-of/) [Maximilien Robespierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximilien-robespierre/) > [Terror is only justice: prompt, severe and inflexible. It is then an emanation of virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/terror-is-only-justice-prompt-severe-and-inflexible-it-is-then-an/) [Maximilien Robespierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximilien-robespierre/) > [To punish the oppressors of humanity is clemency; to forgive them is cruelty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/to-punish-the-oppressors-of-humanity-is-clemency-to-forgive-them-is/) [Maximilien Robespierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/it-has-been-said-that-terror-is-the-principle-of-despotic-government/) [Maximilien Robespierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/smuggle-out-the-truth-pass-it-through-all-the-obstacles-that-its/) [Maximilien Robespierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximilien-robespierre/) > [Omelets are not made without breaking eggs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/omelets-are-not-made-without-breaking-eggs/) [Maximilien Robespierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximilien-robespierre/) > [The general will rules in society as the private will governs each separate individual.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/the-general-will-rules-in-society-as-the-private-will-governs-each/) [Maximilien Robespierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximilien-robespierre/) > [Establish liberty on a rock of brass.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/establish-liberty-on-a-rock-of-brass/) [Maximilien Robespierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximilien-robespierre/) > [Pity is treason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/pity-is-treason/) [Maximilien Robespierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/the-revolution-is-the-war-of-liberty-against-its-enemies-the/) [Maximilien Robespierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximilien-robespierre/) > [The aim of constitutional government is to preserve the Republic; that of revolutionary government is to lay its foundation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/the-aim-of-constitutional-government-is-to-preserve-the-republic-that/) [Maximilien Robespierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximilien-robespierre/) > [Formerly, when a king died at Versailles the reign of his successor was immediately announced by the cry: "The king is dead, long live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/formerly-when-a-king-died-at-versailles-the-reign-of-his-successor/) [Maximilien Robespierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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 common property…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/food-that-is-necessary-for-man-s-existence-is-as-sacred-as-life/) [Maximilien Robespierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/lf-the-attribute-of-popular-government-in-peace-is-virtue-the/) [Maximilien Robespierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximilien-robespierre/) > [Any law which violates the inalienable rights of man is essentially unjust and tyrannical; it is not a law at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/any-law-which-violates-the-inalienable-rights-of-man-is-essentially/) [Maximilien Robespierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximilien-robespierre/) [Explore all 35 Maximilien Robespierre quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximilien-robespierre/) ## More Citizens quotes > [Politics is not an issue whether you like or dislike , but every citizen must involve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khem-veasna/politics-is-not-an-issue-whether-you-like-or-dislike-but-every/) [Khem Veasna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khem-veasna/) > [I will be a model prisoner, as I have been a model citizen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-edwards/i-will-be-a-model-prisoner-as-i-have-been-a-model-citizen/) [Edwin Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-edwards/) > [The language we share is at the core of our identity as citizens, and our ticket to full participation in American political life. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-i-hayakawa/the-language-we-share-is-at-the-core-of-our-identity-as-citizens-and/) [S. I. Hayakawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-i-hayakawa/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [“The police ultimately pay the price for poor customer service when citizens become fearful of them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/the-police-ultimately-pay-the-price-for-poor-customer-service-when/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [Worship isn't destructive, Martin. I know that. I don't. I only know it's the core of his life. What else has he got? He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-shaffer/worship-isn-t-destructive-martin-i-know-that-i-don-t-i-only-know-it-s/) [Peter Shaffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-shaffer/) > [No greater victory can be won by citizens or soldiers than to transform temporary foes into permanent friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-jennings-bryan/no-greater-victory-can-be-won-by-citizens-or-soldiers-than-to/) [William Jennings Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-jennings-bryan/) > [Let us at all times remember that all American citizens are brothers of a common country, and should dwell together in bonds of fraternal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/let-us-at-all-times-remember-that-all-american-citizens-are-brothers/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [A free society depends upon a high degree of mutual trust. The public will not give that trust to officials who are not seen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/archibald-cox/a-free-society-depends-upon-a-high-degree-of-mutual-trust-the-public/) [Archibald Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/archibald-cox/) > [My dreams were always small and puny. All I ever needed was a little house with a little picket fence by the sea. Little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/imelda-marcos/my-dreams-were-always-small-and-puny-all-i-ever-needed-was-a-little/) [Imelda Marcos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/imelda-marcos/) > [The average ordinary citizen can do a lot of different things when it comes to the climate crisis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-bender/the-average-ordinary-citizen-can-do-a-lot-of-different-things-when-it/) [Lawrence Bender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-bender/) > [I think most of us are raised with preconceived notions of the choices we're supposed to make. We waste so much time making decisions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-bullock/i-think-most-of-us-are-raised-with-preconceived-notions-of-the/) [Sandra Bullock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-bullock/) > [Without the ability to talk about government power, there's no way for citizens to make sure this power isn't being misused.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-swartz/without-the-ability-to-talk-about-government-power-there-s-no-way-for/) [Aaron Swartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-swartz/) > [Consequently, citizen legislators, rotating back to their communities after a short period of public service—considered an indispensable and routine characteristic and design of representative…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/consequently-citizen-legislators-rotating-back-to-their-communities/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [What I will stand up for is what I think is right and for the best interests of the citizens of the state of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patty-judge/what-i-will-stand-up-for-is-what-i-think-is-right-and-for-the-best/) [Patty Judge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patty-judge/) [Browse all 4,189 Citizens quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/citizens/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Citizens, did you want a revolution without revolution?", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Maximilien Robespierre" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/citizens-did-you-want-a-revolution-without-revolution/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Citizens" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/citizens-did-you-want-a-revolution-without-revolution/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc3/maximilien-robespierre-18159_citizens_citizens-did-you-want-a-revolution-witho_1677398.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc3/maximilien-robespierre-18159_citizens_citizens-did-you-want-a-revolution-witho_1677398.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc3/maximilien-robespierre-18159_citizens_citizens-did-you-want-a-revolution-witho_1677398.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Citizens, did you want a revolution without revolution?” — Maximilien Robespierre", "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": "Maximilien Robespierre", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximilien-robespierre/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Citizens, did you want a revolution...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/citizens-did-you-want-a-revolution-without-revolution/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/citizens-did-you-want-a-revolution-without-revolution/#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 } } ] } ```