Quotes from Leon Trotsky

If one cannot get along without a mirror, even in shaving oneself, how can one reconstruct oneself or one's life, without seeing oneself in the "mirror" of literature?

Learning carries within itself certain dangers because out of necessity one has to learn from one's enemies.

The dynamic of revolutionary events is directly determined by swift, intense, and passionate changes in the psychology of classes which have already formed themselves before the revolution.

In a serious struggle there is no worse cruelty than to be magnanimous at an inopportune time.

Fascism is nothing but capitalist reaction.

Not believing in force is the same as not believing in gravity.

Events can neither be regarded as a series of adventures nor strung on the thread of a preconceived moral. They must obey their own laws.

Look back at history - those who guided the revolution in the time of its culmination never kept their leading positions long after the turning point.

If we had more time for discussion we should probably have made a great many more mistakes.

From being a patriotic myth, the Russian people have become an awful reality.

I feel here that this time they have succeeded.

Ideas that enter the mind under fire remain there securely and for ever.

Tell me anyway--Maybe I can find the truth by comparing the lies.

The motive force of history is truth and not lies.

You may not be interested in war, but war is interested in you.

The dictatorship of the Communist Party is maintained by recourse to every form of violence.

Where force is necessary, there it must be applied boldly, decisively and completely. But one must know the limitations of force; one must know when to blend force with a maneuver, a blow with an agreement.

The dictatorship of the Communist Party is maintained by recourse to every form of violence.

[To the Mensheviks:] You are bankrupts; your role is played out. Go where you belong from now on—into the dustbin of history!

Revolutions are always verbose.

There are no absolute rules of conduct, either in peace or war. Everything depends on circumstances.

It was the supreme expression of the mediocrity of the apparatus that Stalin himself rose to his position.

There is a limit to the application of democratic methods. You can inquire of all the passengers as to what type of car they like to ride in, but it is impossible to question them as to whether to apply the brakes when the train is at full speed and accident threatens.

Learning carries within itself certain dangers because out of necessity one has to learn from one's enemies.