JOSE DE SAN MARTIN

Let us be free, the rest matters not.

A man of extreme fickleness of principle and full of childish vanity

My best friend is he who rights my wrongs or reproaches my mistakes.

I fear that, tired of anarchy, you may hope at the end for a return of oppression and that you may welcome the yoke of the first fortunate adventurer who shows up, who, far from consolidating your destiny, will only prolong your servitude

The liberals of the world are brothers, everywhere

My chief weapon is public opinion: The Spaniards, incapable of directing it, have prohibited its use; but now they are experiencing its force and importance.

The present national situation is such that the man who becomes its leader has no alternative to a complete dependence on one single faction, save the complete renunciation of authority, The last is what I choose

As for my conduct in public office, my compatriots, as is usually the case, will divide their opinions; their children will render true judgment.

My promises to the people for whom I have waged war have been fulfilled — to accomplish their independence and leave the choice of their rulers to their own will. The presence of an unfortunate soldier, however disinterested he may be, is not desirable in newly constituted states. On the other hand, I am tired of having it said that I wish to make myself King. In short, I shall always be ready to make the ultimate sacrifice for the liberty of the country, but as in the character of a simple private citizen and in no other.

Long ago I gave my word solemnly that I would not accept any rank or military or political position; for this reason I hope that Your Excellency will not compromise my honour before the people, and that you will not attribute my returning the appointment to excessive pride.

Seek six or eight generals in France (who nowadays haven’t even got anything to eat), bring them here, and you would see how all operations and events would change. Let us recognize our ignorance and let us not allow our pride to push us into the abyss

Long ago I gave my word solemnly that I would not accept any rank or military or political position; for this reason I hope that Your Excellency will not compromise my honour before the people, and that you will not attribute my returning the appointment to excessive pride.

The resources of Patriotism are inexhaustible.

this battle is going to decide the fate of all America and it is preferable to die on the field of honour than at the hands of our executioners.

I fear that, tired of anarchy, you may hope at the end for a return of oppression and that you may welcome the yoke of the first fortunate adventurer who shows up, who, far from consolidating your destiny, will only prolong your servitude

The liberals of the world are brothers, everywhere

My chief weapon is public opinion: The Spaniards, incapable of directing it, have prohibited its use; but now they are experiencing its force and importance.

The present national situation is such that the man who becomes its leader has no alternative to a complete dependence on one single faction, save the complete renunciation of authority, The last is what I choose

A man of extreme fickleness of principle and full of childish vanity

More noise occurs from a single man shouting than a hundred thousand who are quiet.

Let us be free, the rest matters not.

My best friend is he who rights my wrongs or reproaches my mistakes.

The conscience is the best and most impartial judge that a righteous man has.

Your coarse impudence in making me a proposition to employ my sword in a civil war is simply incomprehensible. You insolent scoundrel! Do you realize it has never been dipped in American blood?

As for my conduct in public office, my compatriots, as is usually the case, will divide their opinions; their children will render true judgment.

My promises to the people for whom I have waged war have been fulfilled — to accomplish their independence and leave the choice of their rulers to their own will. The presence of an unfortunate soldier, however disinterested he may be, is not desirable in newly constituted states. On the other hand, I am tired of having it said that I wish to make myself King. In short, I shall always be ready to make the ultimate sacrifice for the liberty of the country, but as in the character of a simple private citizen and in no other.