Dom Pedro I Quotes

If Brazil should decide on separation, let it be under your leadership, since you are bound to respect me, rather than under one of these adventurers.

You need a head of state--with continuity. Sometimes this is more important than political power.

I say to that bloodthirsty mob that I, as Prince Regent of Brazil and its Perpetual Defender, mean to declare null and void all the decrees of those stinking and pestiferous Machiavellian troublemakers and that those decrees will not be carried out... If this frank declaration should irritate those Lusitanian-Spaniards, let them send an army against us, and we will show them what Brazilian valor is.

By the blood that flows in my veins and upon my honor, I swear to God to free Brazil!

Just as a man would not cherish living in a body other than his own, so do nations not like to live under other nations, however noble and great the latter may be.

I love England. I live and work here. My children have grown up here. I see no conflict between this and praying that my countrymen in Scotland never have to live another day under Conservative rule from London.

You all know the reasons which have impelled me to renounce the throne. But I want you to understand that in making up my mind I did not forget the country or the empire, which, as Prince of Wales and lately as King, I have for twenty-five years tried to serve.

Our founders did not oust George III in order for us to crown Richard I.

We must honestly face our relationship with Great Britain.

After centuries the time has come when India has gained independence from foreign rule and it's the time when we all [the Independent Princely States) should unite for our motherland""

It is difficult for the strongest advocate of national rights to assert that the people in actual occupation or political control over a given area of the earth are entitled to do what they will with "their own," entirely disregarding the direct and indirect consequences of their actions upon the rest of the world.

The idea that this country may acquire territories anywhere upon the earth, by conquest or treaty, and hold them as mere colonies or provinces, the people inhabiting them to enjoy only such rights as Congress accords them, is wholly inconsistent with the spirit and genius as well as with the words of the Constitution

This Society has been established for the purpose of grouping together American gentlemen who, distinguished by the liberality of their ideas and the fervour of their patriotic zeal, shall work together systematically and methodically for the independence and well-being of America, devoting to this most noble end all their strength, their influence, their faculties and talents, loyally sustaining one another, labouring honourably and proceeding with justice.

Arise, ye noble citizens, cast out all fear for good or ill, for our brave breasts and arms, shall be the walls that guard Brazil.

Unity was the real key to the success of the United States. The constitution of 1787 was in many respects the imposition of a central national government upon the quarrelsome states... In a country so constituted, the weaknesses of one state were compensated for by the strengths of another.

To make a union with Great Britain would be fusion with a corpse.

I have not become the King's First Minister in order to preside over the liquidation of the British Empire.

I hereby proclaim myself King of Egypt to ensure the country’s dignity and its international status.

All these nations and peoples of Europe and Asia will insist upon their independence and their own cultures.

... we have no dynasty of our own and no liking for a foreign dynasty.

Without Country you have neither name, token, voice, nor rights …. Do not delude yourselves with the hope of emancipation from unjust social conditions if you do not first conquer a country for yourselves.

I do not believe that is our destiny to being engulfed into a Republican union (with the United States), renovated and inflamed with the wine of victory, of which he now drinks so freely...

So, having no hope of reconciliation, and finding no other remedy, we have, agreeable to the law of nature in our own defense, and for maintaining the rights, privileges, and liberties of our countrymen, wives, and children, and latest posterity from being enslaved by the Spaniards, been constrained to renounce allegiance to the King of Spain, and pursue such methods as appear to us most likely to secure our ancient liberties and privileges. Know all men by these presents that being reduced to the last extremity, as above mentioned, we have unanimously and deliberately declared, and do by these presents declare, that the King of Spain has forfeited, ipso jure, all hereditary right to the sovereignty of those countries

The time has come. It is Independence or Death!

I believe that it is the role of the German people to be great, to be one of those who rule.