Quotes from Georges Lefebvre

Pour faire de l'histoire, il faut savoir compter.

The moralist must praise heroism and condemn cruelty; but the moralist does not explain events.

D]iplomats and military men considered Italy nothing more than a geographical name.

In any case the mind of the Third Estate is of capital interest in showing the historian that events have their immediate roots not in their antecedents but in the men who intervene by interpreting those events.

While they (Thermidorians) were reproaching the Montangnards for having founded a dictatorship by suspending elections, they re-established elections, but were careful to make certain that they are 'rigged'. They came close to arriving at co-optation pure and simple. If they failed in future elections, they would maintain themselves through coups d'état that would restore dictatorship.

A few writers by implication touched upon the true social issue, that equality of rights was an illusion to those lacking the means to use it.