Mo Yan Quotes

Telling the truth - telling thoughtful truths - should not be a revolutionary act. Speaking truths to power should not be sacrificial, but they are.

Unless you stake your life, life will not be won.

If we must put our head into the lion’s mouth, let us make certain that he chokes upon our flesh!

You'll be free or die!

I am not afraid of the pen, or the scaffold, or the sword.

Sure, give me an adventure and I'll ride it.

I like adventure.

Adventure is worthwhile.

Be convinced that to be happy means to be free and that to be free means to be brave. Therefore do not take lightly the perils of war.

If what you do is being threatened as a profession, that could be scary. But that's the same reason why I walked out on stage many times after receiving death threats. I couldn't live without doing what I wanted to do. So at the same time I have to be willing to die for it.

In all of my books, I'm taking them on an emotionally challenging and sometimes physically dangerous process with a bit of fun and anarchy along the way. With the power comes responsibility.

Great things are won by great dangers.

Never wear your best trousers when you go out to fight for freedom and truth.

Those who won our independence by revolution were not cowards. They did not fear political change. They did not exalt order at the cost of liberty.

The willing sacrifice of the innocent is the most powerful answer to insolent tyranny that has yet been conceived by God or man.

Better to die on one's feet than live on one’s knees., Mejor morir a pie que vivir rodillas.

Before the gathered people; face to face, That like God's thunder might my words of power Roll down the cry of freedom to its base! Oh ! that my voice, a storm above all storms, Could cleave earth, air, and ocean, rend the sky With the fierce earthquake shout, To arms ! to arms ! For truth, fame, freedom, vengeance, victory !

Liberty’s in every blow! Let us do or die!

In a bid for change, we have to take off our coats, be prepared to lose our comfort and security, our jobs and positions of prestige, and our families... A struggle without casualties is no struggle.

I will climb the gallows gladly and show to the world as to how bravely the revolutionaries can sacrifice themselves for the cause.

To be truly free, you should be ready to risk everything for freedom.

We have to speak truth to power.

Do ye dare to draw arms against the justice of God?" snapped the tubby little judge. Jamie drew the sword completely, with a flash of steel, then thrust it point-first into the ground, leaving the hilt quivering with the force of the blow. "I draw it in defense of this women, and the truth," he said "If any here be against those two they'll answer to me, and then God, in that order.

Many have stood their ground and faced the darkness when it comes for them. Fewer come for the darkness and force it to face them.

My father says that fear is good; it's the body's alarm system, it warns us of danger. But sometimes danger can't be avoided, and then you have to forget about being afraid.