--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The king must die so that the country can…" description: "\"The king must die so that the country can live.\" — Maximilien Robespierre" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/63b/maximilien-robespierre-18159_country_the-king-must-die-so-that-the-country-ca_1666497.jpg" --- # The king must die so that the country can live. ![“The king must die so that the country can live.” quote by Maximilien Robespierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/63b/maximilien-robespierre-18159_country_the-king-must-die-so-that-the-country-ca_1666497.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/63b/maximilien-robespierre-18159_country_the-king-must-die-so-that-the-country-ca_1666497.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/63b/maximilien-robespierre-18159_country_the-king-must-die-so-that-the-country-ca_1666497.jpg) > “The king must die so that the country can live.” [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. The quote argues that the death of a ruler is necessary for the nation's survival and renewal. **In simple terms:** A ruler's death can enable a country's rebirth. Key Takeaway Recognize the cost of political change. Themes politics revolution sacrifice Mood serious critical Type political historical When to use this quote - government reform - revolutionary movements - leadership transitions Key Concepts social contract political theory Questions to Reflect On - Is sacrifice always justified for societal good? - What alternatives exist to violent upheaval? A Different Perspective Violence may cause more harm than benefit. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Country Live](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country-live-763845/) [Die Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/die-country-814472/) [King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/king/) [King Die](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/king-die-814471/) [Live](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/live/) ## Related quotes > [A king should die standing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-xviii-of-france/a-king-should-die-standing/) [Louis XVIII of France](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-xviii-of-france/) > [America is a great country, but you can't live in it for nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-rogers/america-is-a-great-country-but-you-can-t-live-in-it-for-nothing/) [Will Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-rogers/) > [“Any land is your country where you can live happy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publius-syrus/any-land-is-your-country-where-you-can-live-happy/) [Publius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publius-syrus/) > [Childhood was a fantastic country to live in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-tharp/childhood-was-a-fantastic-country-to-live-in/) [Tim Tharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-tharp/) > [Canada is a live country - live, but not, like the States, kicking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-brooke/canada-is-a-live-country-live-but-not-like-the-states-kicking/) [Rupert Brooke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-brooke/) > [A man sentenced to death obtained a reprieve by assuring the king he would teach his majesty's horse to fly within the year -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-baruch/a-man-sentenced-to-death-obtained-a-reprieve-by-assuring-the-king-he/) [Bernard Baruch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-baruch/) > [“Those who fail the king do not die in their beds.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/v-e-lynne/those-who-fail-the-king-do-not-die-in-their-beds/) [V.E. Lynne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/v-e-lynne/) > [“Or the king could die. Or the horse could die. Or he could teach the horse how to talk.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-simmons/or-the-king-could-die-or-the-horse-could-die-or-he-could-teach-the/) [Dan Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-simmons/) > [A king should die on his feet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-king-should-die-on-his-feet/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I would die for my country, but I could never let my country die for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-kinnock/i-would-die-for-my-country-but-i-could-never-let-my-country-die-for-me/) [Neil Kinnock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-kinnock/) > [The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/the-object-of-war-is-not-to-die-for-your-country-but-to-make-the/) [George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/) > [ \[The Poles\] will die for their country; but few will work for it. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-davies/the-poles-will-die-for-their-country-but-few-will-work-for-it/) [Norman Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-davies/) > [“We were all ready to die for the country but what we did not discover was we have to live for the country.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-paredes/we-were-all-ready-to-die-for-the-country-but-what-we-did-not-discover/) [Jim Paredes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-paredes/) > [I will not die for my country,i will become sanjeevani for my country!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shyam-rao-mende/i-will-not-die-for-my-country-i-will-become-sanjeevani-for-my-country/) [Shyam Rao Mende](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shyam-rao-mende/) > [You can die for your country. I'll live for mine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-axelson/you-can-die-for-your-country-i-ll-live-for-mine/) [Matthew Axelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-axelson/) ## 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 Country quotes > [I love playing for my country, getting the support. Especially for the kids and everybody, showing my example of what I can achieve so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-sharapova/i-love-playing-for-my-country-getting-the-support-especially-for-the/) [Maria Sharapova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-sharapova/) > [ That country \[Carthage\] was rapidly sinking into the state of barbarism from whence it had been raised by the Phoenician colonies and Roman laws;… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/that-country-carthage-was-rapidly-sinking-into-the-state-of-barbarism/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [If my campaign is not in the debate, we will not be talking about how we really fix this problem of endless and expanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/if-my-campaign-is-not-in-the-debate-we-will-not-be-talking-about-how/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [For the Scottish government, the practice of having meetings in different parts of the country is well established, but for the U.K. government, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicola-sturgeon/for-the-scottish-government-the-practice-of-having-meetings-in/) [Nicola Sturgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicola-sturgeon/) > [There's no reason someone who has fought for their country should be homeless of jobless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-kyle/there-s-no-reason-someone-who-has-fought-for-their-country-should-be/) [Chris Kyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-kyle/) > [The image of blacks usually is one of people who are suffering from hunger, unemployment, and poverty. The idea of them as agents and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-lee-boggs/the-image-of-blacks-usually-is-one-of-people-who-are-suffering-from/) [Grace Lee Boggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-lee-boggs/) > [It's very nice to be a rebel saying, 'I stand on my principles,' but if in fact that's not going to have any impact…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominic-grieve/it-s-very-nice-to-be-a-rebel-saying-i-stand-on-my-principles-but-if/) [Dominic Grieve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominic-grieve/) > [Most paper money initially existed as a substitute for gold. That's what gave it value. But right now what gives a currency value is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-schiff/most-paper-money-initially-existed-as-a-substitute-for-gold-that-s/) [Peter Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-schiff/) > [That's what this country is. It's made up of immigrants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bria-vinaite/that-s-what-this-country-is-it-s-made-up-of-immigrants/) [Bria Vinaite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bria-vinaite/) > [You, of Canada, are building a magnificent record of achievement. My country rejoices in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-d-eisenhower/you-of-canada-are-building-a-magnificent-record-of-achievement-my/) [Dwight D. Eisenhower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-d-eisenhower/) > [The United States cannot and should not discriminate on the basis of religion. The free exercise of religion is at the very heart of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/the-united-states-cannot-and-should-not-discriminate-on-the-basis-of/) [Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/) > [The reason I was drawn to the Band Perry was because they have a knack for doing rollicking country music that can sound a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phoebe-robinson/the-reason-i-was-drawn-to-the-band-perry-was-because-they-have-a/) [Phoebe Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoebe-robinson/) > [In the nineteenth century some parts of the world were unexplored, but there was almost no restriction on travel.:; Up to 1914 you did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/in-the-nineteenth-century-some-parts-of-the-world-were-unexplored-but/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > ['Lovecraft Country' is reclaiming all these pulp genres for people of color.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misha-green/lovecraft-country-is-reclaiming-all-these-pulp-genres-for-people-of/) [Misha Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misha-green/) > [No judge can stop us from praying for our country and I pray that on May 6, millions of Americans will join me in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-graham/no-judge-can-stop-us-from-praying-for-our-country-and-i-pray-that-on/) [Franklin Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-graham/) [Browse all 29,881 Country quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The king must die so that the country can live.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Maximilien Robespierre" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/the-king-must-die-so-that-the-country-can-live/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Country" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/the-king-must-die-so-that-the-country-can-live/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/63b/maximilien-robespierre-18159_country_the-king-must-die-so-that-the-country-ca_1666497.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/63b/maximilien-robespierre-18159_country_the-king-must-die-so-that-the-country-ca_1666497.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/63b/maximilien-robespierre-18159_country_the-king-must-die-so-that-the-country-ca_1666497.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The king must die so that the country can live.” — 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": "The king must die so that...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/the-king-must-die-so-that-the-country-can-live/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/the-king-must-die-so-that-the-country-can-live/#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 } } ] } ```