Lajos Kossuth Quotes

The strength and power of despotism consists wholly in the fear of resistance.

The more complete the despotism, the more smoothly all things move on the surface.

this monster, this Colossus of Despotism ... a deep laid scheme to enslave us.

Whatever crushes individuality is despotism, by whatever name it may be called and whether it professes to be enforcing the will of God or the injunctions of men.

Rule with an iron first will inevitably come to an end.

Fear has always been the driving force behind all dictators' repression.

As virtue is necessary in a republic, and honor in a monarchy, fear is what is required in a despotism. As for virtue, it is not at all necessary, and honor would be dangerous there.

The fact is that certain themes cannot be celebrated in words, and tyranny is one of them. No one ever wrote a good book in praise of the Inquisition.

Under the rule of a repressive whole, liberty can be made into a powerful instrument of domination.

An oppressive government is more to be feared than a tiger.

Secrecy is the freedom tyrants dream of.

The world will not accept dictatorship or domination.

This and no other is the root from which a tyrant springs; when he first appears he is a protector.

Despotism is a long crime.

Force is the vital principle and immediate parent of despotism.

Tyrants are seldom free; the cares and the instruments of their tyranny enslave them.

One does not establish a dictatorship in order to safeguard a revolution; one makes a revolution in order to establish a dictatorship.

... the perfect dictatorship.

They (who) seek to establish systems of government based on the regimentation of all human beings by a handful of individual rulers … call this a new order. It is not new and it is not order.

Oppressive government is more terrible than tigers.

... a step in the direction of tyranny.

Such is the terror--the crushing fear--which is inspired by one man over that multitude, which now submits to his decrees with a zeal, apparently as ardent, as it is certainly abject and submissive. There is not a complaint heard. The calm and dark waters of despotism are never disturbed by the slightest ripple. Not a breath of free thought or manly speech passes over them, but they lie dead and deep, into which every vestige of the people's liberty and freedom has sunk and disappeared.

Standing armies are the oppressive instruments for governing the people.

You agreed with the Dear Leader or you died or ended up in Camp 913.

We have tended to be comfortable with authoritarian regimes.