--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Terror is only justice: prompt, severe…" description: "\"Terror is only justice: prompt, severe and inflexible; it is then an emanation of virtue; it is less a distinct principle than a natural consequence of..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc7/maximilien-robespierre-18159_consequence_terror-is-only-justice-prompt-severe-and_2043942.jpg" --- # Terror is only justice: prompt, severe and inflexible; it… ![“Terror is only justice: prompt, severe and inflexible; it is then an emanation of virtue; it is less a distinct principle than a natural consequence of the general principle of democracy, applied to the most pressing wants of the country.” quote by Maximilien Robespierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc7/maximilien-robespierre-18159_consequence_terror-is-only-justice-prompt-severe-and_2043942.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc7/maximilien-robespierre-18159_consequence_terror-is-only-justice-prompt-severe-and_2043942.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc7/maximilien-robespierre-18159_consequence_terror-is-only-justice-prompt-severe-and_2043942.jpg) > “Terror is only justice: prompt, severe and inflexible; it is then an emanation of virtue; it is less a distinct principle than a natural consequence of the general principle of democracy, applied to the most pressing wants of the country.” [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 claims terror is a necessary, swift justice arising from democratic principles under crisis **In simple terms:** Terror is harsh but seen as democratic virtue Key Takeaway Recognize the danger of extreme measures Themes politics justice revolution Mood cautionary serious Type historical philosophical When to use this quote - war - political upheaval - state crisis Key Concepts Political theory ethics of violence Questions to Reflect On - Can justice be swift without terror? - What alternatives exist? A Different Perspective Violence erodes moral legitimacy ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Consequence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consequence/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) [Fierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fierce/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [Justice Prompt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice-prompt-1235464/) [Natural](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/natural/) [Principle Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principle-democracy-1111041/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) [Severe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/severe/) [Terror](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/terror/) [Terror Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/terror-justice-1235462/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) ## Related quotes > [Terror is nothing more than justice, prompt, secure and inflexible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/terror-is-nothing-more-than-justice-prompt-secure-and-inflexible/) [Maximilien Robespierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximilien-robespierre/) > [Terror is only justice: prompt, severe and inflexible. 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