Name: Prospectus for “Le Défenseur de la Constitution”
Author: Maximilien Robespierre

Quotes from Prospectus for “Le Défenseur de la Constitution” (Maximilien Robespierre)

Maximilien Robespierre, Prospectus for “Le Défenseur de la Constitution” (1792)

“ All the enemies of the Constitution borrow the name and language of patriotism to spread error, discord and false principles. Writers prostitute their venal pens in this odious enterprise. It is thus that public opinion is excited and becomes disorganized; the general will becomes powerless and invalid and patriotism, without a system, without a plan, and without a determined objective, acts slowly and fruitlessly, or sometimes seconds, through blind impetuosity, the evil projects of the enemies of our freedom. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Maximilien Robespierre, Prospectus for “Le Défenseur de la Constitution” (1792)

“ But when opinion is degraded, when public spirit is twisted, the last hope of freedom is annihilated. The writer who prostitutes his pen to hatred, to despotism or corruption — betraying the cause of patriotism and humanity — is more vile than the prevaricating magistrate, more criminal than even the representative who sells out the rights of the people. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Maximilien Robespierre, Prospectus for “Le Défenseur de la Constitution” (1792)

“ I need not say that only the love of justice and truth will guide my pen: it’s on this condition alone that, having descended from the tribune of the French Senate one can still climb to that of the universe and speak, not to the assembly — which can be agitated by the shock of diverse interests — but to humankind, whose interest is that of reason and general happiness. Perhaps when once one has left the theatre to sit among the spectators one can better judge the stage and the actors. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Maximilien Robespierre, Prospectus for “Le Défenseur de la Constitution” (1792)

“ The majority of the nation wants to rest under the auspices of the new Constitution, on the breast of freedom and peace. What causes have deprived it of this double advantage up till now? Ignorance and division. The majority desires the good, but it neither knows the means to reach this goal nor the obstacles that distance them from it. Even the best intentioned of men differ on the questions most strictly related to the general happiness. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Maximilien Robespierre, Prospectus for “Le Défenseur de la Constitution” (1792)

“ At the very least it seems that once having escaped the maelstrom of affairs one breathes in an atmosphere more peaceful and pure, and one has a more certain judgment on men and things, much like he who flees the tumult of the city to climb to the summit of the mountain feels the calm of nature penetrate his soul, and his ideas expand with the horizon. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Maximilien Robespierre, Prospectus for “Le Défenseur de la Constitution” (1792)

“ In this situation one means alone is left to us to save the public thing, and that’s the enlightenment of the zeal of good citizens in order to lead them towards a common goal. To rally all of them to the principles of the Constitution and the general interest; to bring into broad daylight the true causes of our ills and to indicate the remedies; to develop in the eyes of the Nation the reasons, the general view, and the consequences of the political operations that have an influence over the fate of the State and its liberty ”

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Source: Wikisource

Maximilien Robespierre, Prospectus for “Le Défenseur de la Constitution” (1792)

“ I even believe that they have a double right to the esteem of their fellows if they fulfill both tasks with the same integrity. He who declares himself the censor of vice, the apostle of reason and truth must be neither less pure nor less courageous than the legislator himself. ”

Maximilien Robespierre

Summary

Quotes from Prospectus for “Le Défenseur de la Constitution” (Maximilien Robespierre)

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Maximilien Robespierre

Summary

Quotes from Prospectus for “Le Défenseur de la Constitution” (Maximilien Robespierre)

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Get perspective with Kwize: daily news enlightened by great literature