He was a Russian communist, Marxist revolutionary and politician. He was one of the leading political figures and revolutionary thinkers of the 20th century, who managed the Bolshevik take-over of power in Russia in 1917, as the leader of the October Revolution and the architect and first head of the USSR. At university, he was exposed to radical thinking, and his views were also influenced by the execution of his elder brother, a member of a revolutionary group.
He was pragmatist. When his efforts to transform the Russian economy to a socialist model stalled, he introduced the New Economic Policy, where a measure of private enterprise was again permitted, a policy that continued for several years after his death.
(1870 – 1924)
– Vladimir Lenin Quotes –
Despair is typical of those who do not understand the causes of evil, see no way out, and are incapable of struggle. The modern industrial proletariat does not belong to the category of such classes.
~ Vladimir Lenin
A revolution is impossible without a revolutionary situation; furthermore, not every revolutionary situation leads to revolution.
~ Vladimir Lenin
Communism is Soviet power plus the electrification of the whole country.
~ Vladimir Lenin
Fascism is capitalism in decay.
~ Vladimir Lenin
The government is tottering. We must deal it the death blow an any cost. To delay action is the same as death.
~ Vladimir Lenin
Every cook has to learn how to govern the state.
~ Vladimir Lenin
The press should be not only a collective propagandist and a collective agitator, but also a collective organizer of the masses.
~ Vladimir Lenin
While the State exists there can be no freedom; when there is freedom there will be no State.
~ Vladimir Lenin
A lie told often enough becomes the truth.
~ Vladimir Lenin
Under socialism all will govern in turn and will soon become accustomed to no one governing.
~ Vladimir Lenin
It is impossible to predict the time and progress of revolution. It is governed by its own more or less mysterious laws.
~ Vladimir Lenin
Capitalists are no more capable of self-sacrifice than a man is capable of lifting himself up by his own bootstraps.
~ Vladimir Lenin
The history of all countries shows that the working class exclusively by its own effort is able to develop only trade-union consciousness.
~ Vladimir Lenin
It is true that liberty is precious; so precious that it must be carefully rationed.
~ Vladimir Lenin
The best way to destroy the capitalist system is to debauch the currency.
~ Vladimir Lenin
Give us the child for 8 years and it will be a Bolshevik forever.
~ Vladimir Lenin
Democracy is indispensable to socialism.
~ Vladimir Lenin
Politics begin where the masses are, not where there are thousands, but where there are millions, that is where serious politics begin.
~ Vladimir Lenin
Any cook should be able to run the country.
~ Vladimir Lenin
To rely upon conviction, devotion, and other excellent spiritual qualities; that is not to be taken seriously in politics.
~ Vladimir Lenin
When there is state there can be no freedom, but when there is freedom there will be no state.
~ Vladimir Lenin
There are no morals in politics; there is only expedience. A scoundrel may be of use to us just because he is a scoundrel.
~ Vladimir Lenin
Without a revolutionary theory there cannot be a revolutionary movement.
~ Vladimir Lenin
One man with a gun can control 100 without one.
~ Vladimir Lenin
If Socialism can only be realized when the intellectual development of all the people permits it, then we shall not see Socialism for at least five hundred years.
~ Vladimir Lenin
No amount of political freedom will satisfy the hungry masses.
~ Vladimir Lenin
Freedom in capitalist society always remains about the same as it was in ancient Greek republics: Freedom for slave owners.
~ Vladimir Lenin
If it were necessary to give the briefest possible definition of imperialism, we should have to say that imperialism is the monopoly stage of capitalism.
~ Vladimir Lenin
Give me four years to teach the children and the seed I have sown will never be uprooted.
~ Vladimir Lenin
The way to crush the bourgeoisie is to grind them between the millstones of taxation and inflation.
~ Vladimir Lenin
Our program necessarily includes the propaganda of atheism.
~ Vladimir Lenin
The most important thing when ill is to never lose heart.
~ Vladimir Lenin
Sometimes – history needs a push.
~ Vladimir Lenin
Crime is a product of social excess.
~ Vladimir Lenin
When one makes a Revolution, one cannot mark time; one must always go forward – or go back. He who now talks about the “freedom of the press” goes backward, and halts our headlong course towards Socialism.
~ Vladimir Lenin
The goal of socialism is communism.
~ Vladimir Lenin
Can a nation be free if it oppresses other nations? It cannot.
~ Vladimir Lenin
