#revolution

Relegated as he was to a corner and as though sheltered behind the billiard table, the soldiers, their eyes fixed upon Enjolras, had not even noticed Grantaire, and the sergeant was preparing to repeat the order: 'Take aim!' when suddenly they heard a powerful voice cry out beside them, 'Vive la Republique! Count me in.' Grantaire was on his feet. The immense glare of the whole combat he had missed and in which he had not been, appeared in the flashing eyes of the transfigured drunkard. He repeated, 'Vive la Republique!' crossed the room firmly, and took his place in front of the muskets beside Enjolras. 'Two at one shot,' he said. And, turning toward Enjolras gently, he said to him, 'Will you permit it?' Enjolras shook his hand with a smile. The smile had not finished before the report was heard. Enjolras, pierced by eight bullets, remained backed up against the wall is if the bullets had nailed him there. Except that his head was tilted. Grantaire, struck down, collapsed at his feet. ↗

— Victor Hugo

#enjolras #grantaire #inspirational #revolution #inspirational

Every advance in human life, every scrap of knowledge and wisdom and decency we have has been torn by one side from the teeth of the other. Every little increase in human freedom has been fought over ferociously between those who want us to know more and be wiser and stronger, and those who want us to obey and be humble and submit. ↗

— Philip Pullman

#religion #revolution #freedom

Would it be such a terrible thing for us to fall in love?" he asked. ... "Ask me again in the morning. ↗

— Donna Thurland

#ask #grey #kate #love #morning

...more men and women were slaughtered in a couple of weeks of the terror of the atheistic French Revolution than in a century of the Inquisition. ↗

— Michael Coren

#inquisition #religious-violence #men

The hour is fast approaching, on which the Honor and Success of this army, and the safety of our bleeding Country depend. Remember officers and Soldiers, that you are free men, fighting for the blessings of Liberty -- that slavery will be your portion, and that of your posterity, if you do not acquit yourselves like men. ↗

— George Washington

#men

A revolution is not a dinner party, or writing an essay, or painting a picture, or doing embroidery; it cannot be so refined, so leisurely and gentle, so temperate, kind, courteous, restrained and magnanimous. A revolution is an insurrection, an act of violence by which one class overthrows another. ↗

— Mao Tse-tung

#revolution #violence #violence

Any war that requires the suspension of reason as a necessity for support is a bad war. ↗

— Norman Mailer

#common #communism #democracy #philosophy #radical

Concerning non-violence: it is criminal to teach a man not to defend himself when he is the constant victim of brutal attacks. ↗

— Malcolm X

#non-violence #racism #revolution #racism

One of the most essential branches of English liberty is the freedom of one's house. A man's house is his castle. ↗

— James Otis

#freedom

A Nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but it's lowest ones ↗

— Nelson Mandela

#inspirational #politics #revolution #struggle #freedom