Lajos Kossuth quotes

Lajos Kossuth was a Hungarian lawyer, journalist, and statesman who became a leading figure in Hungary's fight for independence. A key voice during the 1848–49 revolution, he inspired many with his speeches and reforms. He is remembered as a national hero and champion of liberty in Hungarian history. Here are 37 of his quotes:

In my opinion, the form of Government may be different in different countries, according to their circumstances, their wishes, their wants. England loves her Queen, and has full motive to do so.

Lajos Kossuth

The policy of the house of Austria, which aimed at destroying the independence of Hungary as a state, has been pursued unaltered for three hundred years.

Lajos Kossuth

I will not become a Napoleon nor an Alexander, and labour for my own ambition; but I will labour for freedom and for the moral well-being of man.

Lajos Kossuth

The time draws near, when a radical change must take place for the whole world in the management of diplomacy.

Lajos Kossuth

History is the revelation of providence.

Lajos Kossuth

Neutrality, as a lasting principle, is an evidence of weakness.

Lajos Kossuth

The power that is supported by force alone will have cause often to tremble.

Lajos Kossuth

In exile, I have tried to profit by the past and prepare for the future.

Lajos Kossuth

Hungary is, in a word, in a state of WAR against the Hapsburg dynasty, a war of legitimate defence, by which alone it can ever regain independence and freedom.

Lajos Kossuth

The spirit of our age is Democracy. All for the people, and all by the people. Nothing about the people without the people... My nation will rise, called to resurrection by the eternal principles of the law of nature and of nature's God. It will not lie in the grave longer than the holy number three, and will require your magnanimity by becoming the corner-stone of national independence on the European Continent.

Lajos Kossuth

The principle of evil in Europe is the enervating spirit of Russian absolutism.

Lajos Kossuth

And if you cannot remain indifferent, you must resolve to throw your weight into that balance in which the fate and condition of man is weighed.

Lajos Kossuth

The Hungarian ministry begged the king earnestly to issue orders to all troops and commanders of fortresses in Hungary, enjoining fidelity to the Constitution, and obedience to the ministers of Hungary.

Lajos Kossuth

You must be a power on earth, and must therefore accept all the consequences of this position.

Lajos Kossuth

If I had undertaken the practical direction of military operations, and anything went amiss, I feared that my conscience would torture me, as guilty of the fall of my country, as I had not been familiar with military tactics.

Lajos Kossuth

I believe that the confidence of Hungary in me is not shaken by misfortune nor broken by my calumniators.

Lajos Kossuth

Your generous part in my liberation is taken by the world for the revelation of the fact, that the United States are resolved not to allow the despots of the world to trample on oppressed humanity.

Lajos Kossuth

My nomination to be Governor was not to gratify ambition.

Lajos Kossuth

I can understand Communism, but not Socialism.

Lajos Kossuth

Now that I am a deputy, I will cease to be an agitator.

Lajos Kossuth

Now since France has three times in sixty years failed to obtain practical results from Political revolutions, all Europe is apt to press forward into new Social doctrine to regulate the future.

Lajos Kossuth

I have to thank the People, the Congress, and the Government of the United States for my liberation.

Lajos Kossuth