Once again, he who ignores the problems of revolutionary strategy would do better not to talk about revolutions at all.
LEON TROTSKYOnce again, he who ignores the problems of revolutionary strategy would do better not to talk about revolutions at all.
LEON TROTSKYUnder all conditions, well-organized violence seems to him the shortest distance between two points.
LEON TROTSKYThe people will have the right to elect their representatives from a list of candidates [who have been approved by the Party].
LEON TROTSKYI feel here that this time they have succeeded.
LEON TROTSKYOur differences with [Joseph] Stalin are entirely of a strategical character.
LEON TROTSKYWith all due respect to all philistines, the dictatorship of the proletariat does just consist in “giving a hiding” to the classes that were previously supreme, before forcing them to recognize the new order and to submit to it.
LEON TROTSKYIn inner-party politics, these methods lead, as we shall yet see, to this: the party organization substitutes itself for the party, the central committee substitutes itself for the organization, and, finally, a dictator substitutes himself for the central committee.
LEON TROTSKYTechnique is noticed most markedly in the case of those who have not mastered it.
LEON TROTSKYNot believing in force is the same as not believing in gravity.
LEON TROTSKYOne of the most surprising things in life is the sudden realization that one has become old.
LEON TROTSKYThe motive force of history is truth and not lies.
LEON TROTSKYCity of prose and fantasy, of capitalist automation, its streets a triumph of cubism, its moral philosophy that of the dollar. New York impressed me tremendously because, more than any other city, it is the fullest expression of our modern age.
LEON TROTSKYRoot out the counter revolutionaries without mercy, lock up suspicious characters in concentration camps… Shirkers will be shot, regardless of past service.
LEON TROTSKYIn the appendix to my History of the Russian Revolution I give a detailed and documented study of the ideas of the Bolshevik party on the October revolution. This study, I hope, will make it impossible in the future to ascribe to [Vladimir] Lenin the theory of Socialism in a single country.
LEON TROTSKYThere 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.
LEON TROTSKYWorkers – men and women – of all countries, place yourselves under the banner of the Fourth International. It is the banner of your approaching victory!
LEON TROTSKY