Quotes from Vladimir Lenin

It is impossible to predict the time and progress of revolution. It is governed by its own more or less mysterious laws. But when it comes it moves irresistibly.

One man with a gun can control 100 without one.

You must act with all energy. Mass searches. Execution for concealing arms.

I am a bad, wicked man, but I am practicing moral self-purification; I don't eat meat any more, I now eat rice cutlets.

One fool can ask more questions in a minute than 12 wise men can answer in an hour.

Man's consciousness not only reflects the objective world, but creates it.

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

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.

The state does not function as we desired. A man is at the wheel and seems to lead it, but the car does not drive in the desired direction. It moves as another force wishes.

Hang (hang without fail, so the people see) no fewer than one hundred known kulaks, rich men, bloodsuckers.

Every cook has to learn how to govern the state.

He who does not work shall not eat

We must follow the rule: Better fewer, but better. We must follow the rule: Better get good human material in two or even three years than work in haste without hope of getting any at all.

Of all the arts, for us the cinema is the most important.

The most important thing is to know how to awaken in the still undeveloped masses an intelligent attitude towards religious questions and an intelligent criticism of religions.

The best way to control the opposition is to lead it ourselves.

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

Crime is a product of social excess.

A revolution is impossible without a revolutionary situation; furthermore, not every revolutionary situation leads to revolution.

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

Our program necessarily includes the propaganda of atheism.

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

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.