Benito Mussolini

Italian fascist dictator

Modern influential 146 sayings

Sayings by Benito Mussolini

It is better to live one day as a lion than 100 years as a sheep.

1928 — Speech to the Fascist Grand Council
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

The truth is that men are tired of liberty.

1926 — Speech
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

Given that the 19th century was the century of Socialism, Liberalism, and Democracy, it does not mean that the 20th century must also be the century of Liberalism, Socialism, and Democracy. Political doctrines pass; peoples remain. It is to be expected that this century may be that of authority, a century of the 'right,' a Fascist century.

1932 — The Doctrine of Fascism
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

We were the first to assert that the more complicated the forms of civilization, the more restricted the freedom of the individual must become.

1932 — The Doctrine of Fascism
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

War is to man what maternity is to a woman. From a philosophical and doctrinal viewpoint, I do not believe in perpetual peace.

1926 — Speech to the Senate
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

Fascism is a religious conception of life.

1932 — The Doctrine of Fascism
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The State, as conceived and realized by Fascism, is a spiritual and ethical entity for the organization of the nation.

1932 — The Doctrine of Fascism
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The Fascist State expresses the will to exercise power and to command.

1932 — The Doctrine of Fascism
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Only Fascism can resolve the dramatic problems of the 20th century.

1930s — Speech
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I am the only man in Italy capable of making Italy great again.

1920s — Attributed
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

We deny all the universalistic claims of the Fascist doctrine. We believe that Fascism is not for export.

1932 — The Doctrine of Fascism
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The function of a citizen in a Fascist State is to obey.

1920s — Speech
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Fascism is a movement of reality, a movement of truth.

1920s — Speech
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The crowd is like a woman. It is not necessary to persuade them, it is necessary to rape them.

Unknown, likely 1920s-30s — Attributed, often cited in analyses of his rhetoric
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The greatest danger to democracy is not fascism, but socialism.

Unknown, likely 1920s — Attributed
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

We are free to believe that this is the century of authority, a century tending to the 'right,' a Fascist century.

1932 — The Doctrine of Fascism
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The Fascist conception of the State is all-embracing; outside of it no human or spiritual values can exist, much less have value.

1932 — The Doctrine of Fascism
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

Fascism is not only a system of government, but also a system of thought.

1932 — The Doctrine of Fascism
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The State, in fact, as a true and proper ethical entity, is the creator of right.

1932 — The Doctrine of Fascism
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The Fascist State is not a night-watchman, solicitous only of the personal safety of the citizens, nor is it organized simply for the purpose of guaranteeing a certain form of material prosperity and relatively peaceful conditions of life.

1932 — The Doctrine of Fascism
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable