Harry Graf Kessler Quotes

All revolutions invariably encourage bad characters and potential criminals.

They are as blind to some of the tendencies of the time as the French Noblese was before the French Revolution.

At last I perceive that in revolutions the supreme power rests with the most abandoned.

In revolutions authority remains with the greatest scoundrels.

We have it within our power to begin the world over again.

It was a bad looking mob. It was animated by the essence of revolution.

Something is stirring in the hearts and minds of the people.

Without destruction of the State, there is no revolution.

Suppose we were to revolt from Great-Britain, declare ourselves Independent, and set up a Republic of our own-what would be the consequence? - I stand aghast at the prospect - my blood runs chill when I think of the calamities, the complicated evils that must ensue, and may be clearly foreseen.

We find—in the case of political affairs—that the most servile submission to privileged classes, and the grossest abuses of power by these, have been the precursors of the wildest ebullitions of popular fury,—of the overthrow indiscriminately of ancient institutions, good and bad.

Institutions may crumble and governments fall, but it is only that they may renew a better youth, and mount upwards like the eagle.

We will burn the old grass and the new will grow.

Revolt and revolution both wind up at the same crossroads: the police, or folly.

Revolution cleanses men, improving them as the experimental farmer corrects the defects of his plants.

With society and its public, there is no longer any other language than that of bombs, barricades, and all that follows.

The friends of gold will have to be extremely wise and moderate if they are to avoid a revolution.

I fear we may live to see another revolution.

It is bad governments, not bad people, who cause revolutions.

Revolutions are like the most noxious dungheaps, which bring into life the noblest vegetables.

This country's going to have a revolution if something doesn't happen the haves and have - nots.

The great cause of revolutions is this, that while nations move onward, constitutions stand still.

A revolution in itself is not a blessing.

Let us remember that revolutions do not always establish freedom.

Everything I see about me is sowing the seeds of a revolution that is inevitable, though I shall not have the pleasure of seeing it. The lightning is so close at hand that it will strike at the first chance, and then there will be a pretty uproar. The young are fortunate, for they will see fine things.

Great revolutions, whatever may be their causes, are not lightly commenced, and are not concluded with precipitation.