Giuseppe Mazzini Quotes
Ideas grow quickly when watered with the blood of martyrs.
Mazzini, Giuseppe. Life and Writings of Joseph Mazzini, Vol. 1. Smith, Elder, & Co., 1864, p. 305.
This quotation is used by the moderate Egyptians and other moderate Arab leaders as well as Israelis and other experts in combating Islamic Fundamentalism to illustrate the thinking process of the Muslim fundamentalist terrorist leader. They are more than willing to sacrifice those they lead (though rarely themselves) if they think that something is to be gained. But if there is nothing to be gained, their “moral” responsibility requires not “wasting” their followers’ lives. Therefore, the way these experts believe they should deal with the radicals is to face them with overwhelming force (a variant of the Powell Doctrine) and never concede anything or let them gain anything from violence. A single concession makes the terrorism, sacrifice and violence worthwhile, but if there is no gain, the leader has wasted the lives of his followers and is less likely to initiate another attack.
Hill was tried for a murder he claimed he didn’t commit, but he refused to take the stand and explain his gunshot wound. He refused to provide the names of the people who were involved in his shooting. By today’s legal standard there was no proof of his guilt, but his refusal to testify or even provide the information to the Governor after his conviction. He was executed by Utah by firing squad in 1915.
A week later he was assassinated in a French-backed coup.
Giuseppe Mazzini was an Italian politician, journalist, activist for the unification of Italy and spearhead of the Italian revolutionary movement. His efforts helped bring about the independent and unified Italy in place of the several separate states, many dominated by foreign powers, that existed until the 19th century. An Italian nationalist in the historical radical tradition and a proponent of social-democratic republicanism, Mazzini helped define the modern European movement for popular democracy in a republican state.
