Jean-Paul Marat

man right oppressor devour palpitating hearts

"Man has the right to deal with his oppressors by devouring their palpitating hearts."

— Jean-Paul Marat (1743-1793)

hundred heads cut off repose freedom happiness

"Five or six hundred heads cut off would have assured your repose, freedom and happiness."

— Jean-Paul Marat (1743-1793)

principles knife neck selfish respite worker

"Nothing will make me change my principles. Even with the knife at my neck I shall still declare, up to this day, the poor have done everything; it is time for the rich to take their turn... The selfish people, the young idlers, must be made useful, whether they like it or not, and some respite be procured for the useful and respectable worker."

— Jean-Paul Marat (1743-1793)

stupidity claim men power berate oppress equals

"It is the height of stupidity to claim that men who for a thousand years have had the power to berate us, to fleece us and to oppress us with impunity, will now agree, with good grace, to be our equals."

— Jean-Paul Marat (1743-1793)

constitution just wise point laws agreed people reflection

"To form a truly free constitution, that's to say, truly just and wise, the first point, the main point, the capital point, is that all the laws be agreed on by the people, after considered reflection, and especially having taken time to see what's at stake."

— Jean-Paul Marat (1743-1793)

inevitable fate freedom princes despotism people servitude

"It seems that the inevitable fate of man is never attain complete freedom: princes everywhere tend to despotism and the people to servitude."

— Jean-Paul Marat (1743-1793)