--- 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.\" — Maximilien Robespierre" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ec/maximilien-robespierre-18159_character_terror-is-only-justice-prompt-severe-and_131786.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.” quote by Maximilien Robespierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ec/maximilien-robespierre-18159_character_terror-is-only-justice-prompt-severe-and_131786.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ec/maximilien-robespierre-18159_character_terror-is-only-justice-prompt-severe-and_131786.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ec/maximilien-robespierre-18159_character_terror-is-only-justice-prompt-severe-and_131786.jpg) > “Terror is only justice: prompt, severe and inflexible. It is then an emanation of virtue.” [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. Justice is portrayed as swift, severe, and unwavering, reflecting a moral ideal. **In simple terms:** Justice should be swift and firm. Key Takeaway Balance firmness with fairness. Themes justice morality politics Mood stern serious Type philosophical political When to use this quote - legal reform - revolutionary movements - ethical debates Key Concepts severity virtue rigidity Questions to Reflect On - Is harsh justice always virtuous? A Different Perspective Can extreme rigidity become oppression? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [French revolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/french-revolution/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [Reign of terror](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reign-of-terror/) [Revolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revolution/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) ## Related quotes > [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/) > [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; it is then an emanation of virtue; it is less a distinct principle than a natural…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/terror-is-only-justice-prompt-severe-and-inflexible-it-is-then-an-2/) [Maximilien Robespierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximilien-robespierre/) > [Terror is nothing else than justice, prompt, severe, inflexible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/terror-is-nothing-else-than-justice-prompt-severe-inflexible/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [God has so ordered, that in pressing on in duty we shall find the truest, richest comfort for ourselves. 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I've had hard times, but I kept pressing on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwyane-wade/i-ve-struggled-in-my-life-i-ve-had-hard-times-but-i-kept-pressing-on/) [Dwyane Wade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwyane-wade/) > [Nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/nothing-is-more-common-than-unsuccessful-people-with-talent/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It’s not always easy to get over some of those bumps in the road, those disillusionments and disappointments. It’s going to take a strong…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/it-s-not-always-easy-to-get-over-some-of-those-bumps-in-the-road/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) ## 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/) > [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/) > [Softness to traitors will destroy us all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/softness-to-traitors-will-destroy-us-all/) [Maximilien Robespierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximilien-robespierre/) [Explore all 35 Maximilien Robespierre quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximilien-robespierre/) ## More Character quotes > [This may sound strange, but although I feel like I know everything about my characters, the brand of shampoo they use, how many cavities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/this-may-sound-strange-but-although-i-feel-like-i-know-everything/) [Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [Social responsibility above the level of family, or at most of tribe, requires imagination-- devotion, loyalty, all the higher virtues -- which a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/social-responsibility-above-the-level-of-family-or-at-most-of-tribe/) [Robert A. 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But, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-well-mannered-towards-those-whose-views-are-similar-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. 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