Howard Zinn Quotes

The limits of tyrants are proscribed by the endurance of those whom they suppress.

A rebellion against a tyrant is only immoral when it hasn't got a chance.

They make a desert and call it peace.

A wicked tyrant is better than a wicked war.

Who Rebels? Who rises in arms? Rarely the slave, but almost always the oppressor turned slave.

I didn't want to kill a man. I'm not capable of killing a man. I wanted to kill a tyrant.

Have you any idea how much tyrants fear the people they oppress?

Odd how often blood is shed to obtain freedom from those in power. Oppressors must be the most insecure people in the world.

Beware the People weeping When they bare the iron hand.

What was taken by force, can only be restored by force.

Rebellion! the very word is a confession; an avowal of tyranny, outrage, and oppression. It is taken from the despot's code, and has no terror for others than slavish souls.

The removal of a tyrant is not merely justifiable; it is the highest duty of every true revolutionist.

Let us strangle the last king with the guts of the last priest.

No one can go on being a rebel too long without becoming an autocrat.

Revolution is engendered by an indignation with tyranny, yet is itself pregnant with tyranny

Throughout the history of mankind there have been murderers and tyrants; and while it may seem momentarily that they have the upper hand, they have always fallen. Always.

The worst of tyrants, an usurping crowd.

The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.

The tree of liberty could not grow were it not watered with the blood of tyrants

Instead of contributing to the restoration of liberty they enlist of their own free will under the flag of the Spanish tyrants and most actively co-operate to our destruction

Between the people and their enemies there can be nothing in common but the sword; we must govern by iron those who cannot be governed by justice; we must oppress the tyrant...

The tyrant dies and his rule is over; the martyr dies and his rule begins.

Old forms of government finally grow so oppressive, that they must be thrown off even at the risk of reigns of terror.

No dictator, no invader, can hold an imprisoned population by force of arms forever. There is no greater power in the universe than the need for freedom. Against that power, governments and tyrants and armies cannot stand…. Though it take a thousand years, we will be free.

Our vengeance shall rival Spanish ferocity. Our goodwill is at last exhausted; and, since our oppressors compel us to mortal warfare, they shall disappear from America and our land shall be purged of the monsters that infest it. Our hate shall be inexorable and our war shall be to the death.