Vladimir Lenin's Quotes

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.

There are no morals in politics; there is only expedience. A scoundrel may be of use to us just because he is a scoundrel.

If it were necessary to give the briefest possible definition of imperialism, we should have to say that imperialism is the monopoly stage of capitalism.

Capitalists are no more capable of self-sacrifice than a man is capable of lifting himself up by his own bootstraps.

The government is tottering. We must deal it the death blow an any cost. To delay action is the same as death.

The history of all countries shows that the working class exclusively by its own effort is able to develop only trade-union consciousness.

The most important thing when ill is to never lose heart.

Under socialism all will govern in turn and will soon become accustomed to no one governing.

Sometimes - history needs a push.

Without a revolutionary theory there cannot be a revolutionary movement.

It is impossible to predict the time and progress of revolution. It is governed by its own more or less mysterious laws.

Communism is Soviet power plus the electrification of the whole country.

Every cook has to learn how to govern the state.

Despair is typical of those who do not understand the causes of evil, see no way out, and are incapable of struggle. The modern industrial proletariat does not belong to the category of such classes.

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

The goal of socialism is communism.

One man with a gun can control 100 without one.

A lie told often enough becomes the truth.

Give me four years to teach the children and the seed I have sown will never be uprooted.

The oppressed are allowed once every few years to decide which particular representatives of the oppressing class are to represent and repress them in parliament.

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

The press should be not only a collective propagandist and a collective agitator, but also a collective organizer of the masses.

Fascism is capitalism in decay.

Freedom in capitalist society always remains about the same as it was in ancient Greek republics: Freedom for slave owners.

Our program necessarily includes the propaganda of atheism.

When one makes a Revolution, one cannot mark time; one must always go forward - or go back. He who now talks about the 'freedom of the press' goes backward, and halts our headlong course towards Socialism.