Lawrence Durrell Quotes

Everywhere that freedom stirs, let tyrants fear.

The strength and power of despotism consists wholly in the fear of resistance.

I would not like a king who could obey.

Whether it comes from a despotic sovereign or an elected president, from a murderous general or a beloved leader, I see power as an inhuman and hateful phenomen. To the same degree that I do not understand power, I do understand those who oppose power, who criticize power, who contest power, especially those who rebel against power imposed by brutality.

Secrecy is the freedom tyrants dream of.

Conquerors never, never conquer a nation to bring freedom. They brought control.

Whatever crushes individuality is despotism, by whatever name it may be called and whether it professes to be enforcing the will of God or the injunctions of men.

All men would be tyrants if they could.

Let tyrants shake their iron rod.

Tyrants are seldom free; the cares and the instruments of their tyranny enslave them.

Concentrated power has always been the enemy of liberty.

The tyrant is only the slave turned inside out.

Better a hundred years of tyranny than one day of anarchy.

… the tools of despotism and corruption

Force, no matter how concealed, begets resistance.

He who has the greatest power put into his hands will only become the more impatient of any restraint in the use of it.

Who holds all power must fear all things.

Tyrannicide: Tyranny is a crime.

Disobedience is the true foundation of liberty. The obedient must be slaves.

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

When you think of the long and gloomy history of man, you will find that far more, and far more hideous, crimes have been committed in the name of obedience than have ever been committed in the name of rebellion.

No dictator can last forever. History shows that in the end, people around the dictator bring about change. Of course, a lot of high-ranking officials don't want change because they want to keep power. But there are other good people who want change. I believe they are waiting for the chance.

The establishment, whatever rewards it gives us, will also, if necessary to maintain it's control, kill us

Tremble, ye tyrants, for ye can not die.

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