Revolutions are always verbose. — Leon Trotsky

Once again, he who ignores the problems of revolutionary strategy would do better not to talk about revolutions at all. — Leon Trotsky

It is also false that the revolution ripens and comes to development only in the national soil. — Leon Trotsky

Vladimir] Lenin died in January, 1924; three months later [Joseph] Stalin expounded in writing Lenin’s conception of the proletarian revolution. — Leon Trotsky

Joseph] Stalin closes the exposition of these [Leon Trotsky] ideas with the words, ‘Such are in general the characteristic features of [Vladimir] Lenin’s conception of the proletarian revolution. — Leon Trotsky

What shall we call an ‘immediate possibility’? In 1923 the situation in Germany was profoundly revolutionary, but what was lacking for a victorious revolution was a correct strategy. — Leon Trotsky

Let us not forget that revolutions are accomplished through people, although they be nameless. Materialism does not ignore the feeling, thinking, and acting man, but explains him. — Leon Trotsky

A revolution is always distinguished by impoliteness, probably because the ruling classes did not take the trouble in good season to teach the people fine manners. — Leon Trotsky

It is quite clear that the German and Chinese revolutions in case of victory would have changed the face of Europe and Asia, and perhaps of the whole world. — Leon Trotsky

The revolution has its own laws: in the period of its culmination it pushes the most highly developed, determined and far–seeing stratum of the revolutionary class to the most advanced positions. — Leon Trotsky

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. — Leon Trotsky

Not believing in force is the same as Not believing in gravitation. — Leon Trotsky

Where force is necessary, there it must be applied boldly, decisively and completely. — Leon Trotsky

The motive force of history is truth and not lies. — Leon Trotsky

Only in the Fall of 1924 did [Joseph] Stalin discover that it is especially Russia, as distinguished from other countries, which can by its own forces build up a socialist society. — Leon Trotsky

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. — Leon Trotsky

The historic ascent of humanity, taken as a whole, may be summarized as a succession of victories of consciousness over blind forces–in nature, in society, in man himself. — Leon Trotsky

Fascism is nothing but capitalist reaction… — Leon Trotsky

In a serious struggle there is no worse cruelty than to be magnanimous at an Inopportune time. — Leon Trotsky

He who thinks of renouncing ‘physical’ struggle must renounce all struggle, for the spirit does not live without the flesh. — Leon Trotsky

Simultaneously the Left Opposition in the course of several years carried on a struggle against the Stalinists in favor of collectivization. — Leon Trotsky

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

The revenge of history is more powerful than the revenge of the most powerful General Secretary. — Leon Trotsky

The history of a revolution is for us first of all a history of the forcible entrance of the masses into the realm of rulership over their own destiny. — Leon Trotsky

You are pitiful isolated individuals; you are bankrupts; your role is played out. Go where you belong from now on–into the dustbin of history! — Leon Trotsky

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. — Leon Trotsky

In spite of the existence of the Soviet Union, however, the proletarian revolution during the past years has not recorded a victory in any other country. — Leon Trotsky

The creative union of the conscious with the unconscious is what one usually calls ‘inspiration.’ — Leon Trotsky

It is therefore not true that the mere existence of the Soviet Union is capable of assuring the victory of the revolution in other countries. — Leon Trotsky

That the existence of the Soviet Union has an international revolutionary significance is a commonplace equally recognized by friends and foes. — Leon Trotsky

The Soviet Union needs thinking and critical friends, such as are capable not only of singing hymns in the hours of success, but of not shrinking in the hour of defeat and danger. — Leon Trotsky