Vladimir Lenin

Leader of Russian Revolution

Modern influential 172 sayings

Sayings by Vladimir Lenin

Why should freedom of speech and freedom of press be allowed? Why should a government which is doing what it believes to be right allow itself to be criticized? It would not allow opposition by lethal weapons. Ideas are much more fatal things than guns. Why should any man be allowed to buy a printing press and disseminate pernicious opinions calculated to embarrass the government?

Early 20th century — A justification for censorship and suppression of dissent.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Why should freedom of speech and freedom of press be allowed? Why should a government which is doing what it believes to be right allow itself to be criticized? It would not allow opposition by lethal weapons. Ideas are much more fatal things than guns. Why should any man be allowed to buy a printing press and disseminate pernicious opinions calculated to embarrass the government?

Early 20th century — A justification for censorship and suppression of dissent.
Strange & Unusual Disputed

I can't listen to music too often. It affects your nerves, makes you want to say stupid nice things and stroke the heads of people who could create such beauty while living in this vile hell.

Early 20th century — A personal reflection on the emotional impact of music.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I can't listen to music too often. It affects your nerves, makes you want to say stupid nice things and stroke the heads of people who could create such beauty while living in this vile hell.

Early 20th century — A personal reflection on the emotional impact of music.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

The Capitalists will sell us the rope with which we will hang them.

Early 20th century — A statement on the perceived self-destructive nature of capitalism.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

When a liberal is abused, he says, 'Thank God they didn't beat me.' When he is beaten, he thanks God they didn't kill him. When he is killed, he will thank God that his immortal soul has been delivered from its mortal clay.

Early 20th century — A sarcastic and harsh critique of liberal complacency.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

When a liberal is abused, he says, 'Thank God they didn't beat me.' When he is beaten, he thanks God they didn't kill him. When he is killed, he will thank God that his immortal soul has been delivered from its mortal clay.

Early 20th century — A sarcastic and harsh critique of liberal complacency.
Strange & Unusual Disputed

We are not shooting enough professors.

Early 20th century — A chilling statement reflecting his ruthless approach to intellectual opposition.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

We are not shooting enough professors.

Early 20th century — A chilling statement reflecting his ruthless approach to intellectual opposition.
Strange & Unusual Disputed

We can and must write in a language which sows among the masses hate, revulsion, and scorn toward those who disagree with us.

Early 20th century — A directive on the use of propaganda to demonize opponents.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

Comrades! The insurrection of the five kulak districts must be mercilessly suppressed. The interests of the whole revolution demand it, for 'the last decisive battle' with the kulaks is now underway everywhere. An example must be made. 1. Hang (absolutely hang, so that the people can see) no fewer than 100 known kulaks, fatcats, and bloodsuckers. 2. Publish their names. 3. Seize all their grain. 4. Designate hostages - in accordance with yesterday's telegram.

1918 — An explicit and brutal order for the mass execution of kulaks (wealthy peasants).
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Comrades! The insurrection of the five kulak districts must be mercilessly suppressed. The interests of the whole revolution demand it, for 'the last decisive battle' with the kulaks is now underway everywhere. An example must be made. 1. Hang (absolutely hang, so that the people can see) no fewer than 100 known kulaks, fatcats, and bloodsuckers. 2. Publish their names. 3. Seize all their grain. 4. Designate hostages - in accordance with yesterday's telegram.

1918 — An explicit and brutal order for the mass execution of kulaks (wealthy peasants).
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

If Socialism can only be realized when the intellectual development of all the people permits it, then we shall not see Socialism for at least five hundred years.

Early 20th century — A pessimistic but pragmatic view on the timeline for achieving socialism.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

If Socialism can only be realized when the intellectual development of all the people permits it, then we shall not see Socialism for at least five hundred years.

Early 20th century — A pessimistic but pragmatic view on the timeline for achieving socialism.
Strange & Unusual Disputed

You cannot make a revolution in white gloves.

Early 20th century — A blunt statement acknowledging the violent and often morally compromising nature of revolution.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

You cannot make a revolution in white gloves.

Early 20th century — A blunt statement acknowledging the violent and often morally compromising nature of revolution.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

When we are victorious on a world scale, I think we shall use gold for the purpose of building public lavatories in the streets of the world's largest cities. This would be the most 'just' and most educational way of utilizing gold for the benefit of these generations which have not forgotten how, for the sake of gold, ten million men were killed and thirty million crippled in the 'great' war of liberation, for the sake of selling the 'right' to gold to the highest bidder, etc.

1921 — Speech on the New Economic Policy (NEP)
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

A man with a rifle is a citizen with a vote.

circa 1917-1920 — Attributed, often cited in discussions of the role of force in politics.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The way to crush the bourgeoisie is to grind them between the millstones of taxation and inflation.

circa 1918-1921 — Attributed, often quoted in economic discussions of early Soviet policy.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

The best way to destroy the capitalist system is to debauch the currency.

circa 1917-1920 — Attributed, though its direct source is debated, it reflects his views on economic warfare.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed