Benito Mussolini Quotes & Sayings

War is to man what maternity is to a woman. From a philosophical and doctrinal viewpoint, I do not believe in perpetual peace. — Benito Mussolini

The history of saints is mainly the history of insane people. -Benito Mussolini (Chuck Palahniuk - Pygmy) — Benito Mussolini

Fascism conceives of the State as an absolute, in comparison with which all individuals or groups are relative, only to be conceived in their relation to the State. — Benito Mussolini

Race? It is a feeling, not a reality. Ninety-five per cent, at least. Nothing will ever make me believe that biologically pure races can be shown to exist today ... National pride has no need of the delirium of race. — Benito Mussolini

For us the national flag is a rag to be planted on a dunghill. There are only two fatherlands in the world: that of the exploited and that of the exploiters. — Benito Mussolini

Thirty centuries of history allow us to look with supreme pity on certain doctrines which are preached beyond the Alps by the descendants of those who were illiterate when Rome had Caesar, Virgil, and Augustus. — Benito Mussolini

If the 19th [century] was the century of the individual (liberalism means individualism), you may consider that this is the "collective" century, and therefore the century of the state. — Benito Mussolini

Fascist education is moral, physical, social, and military: it aims to create a complete and harmoniously developed human, a fascist one according to our views. — Benito Mussolini

One moment on the battlefield is worth a thousand years of peace. — Benito Mussolini

Fascism recognises the real needs which gave rise to socialism and trade-unionism, giving them due weight in the guild or corporative system in which diverent interests are coordinated and harmonised in the unity of the State. — Benito Mussolini

Against individualism, the Fascist conception is for the State ... Liberalism denied the State in the interests of the particular individual; Fascism reaffirms the State as the true reality of the individual. — Benito Mussolini

The keystone of the Fascist doctrine is its conception of the State, of its essence, its functions, and its aims. For Fascism the State is absolute, individuals and groups relative. — Benito Mussolini

The best blood will at some time get into a fool or a mosquito. — Benito Mussolini

The definition of fascism is The marriage of corporation and state — Benito Mussolini

It is humiliating to remain with our hands folded while others write history. It matters little who wins. To make a people great it is necessary to send them to battle even if you have to kick them in the pants. That is what I shall do. — Benito Mussolini

Fuehrer, we are on the march! Victorious Italian troops crossed the Greco-Albanian frontier at dawn today! — Benito Mussolini

Fascism should more appropriately be called Corporatism because it is a merger of state and corporate power — Benito Mussolini

Inactivity is death. — Benito Mussolini

We affirm that the true story of capitalism is now beginning, because capitalism is not a system of oppression only, but is also a selection of values, a coordination of hierarchies, a more amply developed sense of individual responsibility. — Benito Mussolini

Fascism is definitely and absolutely opposed to the doctrines of liberalism, both in the political and economic sphere. — Benito Mussolini

The Socialists ask what is our program? Our program is to smash the heads of the Socialists. — Benito Mussolini

The press of Italy is free, freer than the press of any other country, so long as it supports the regime. — Benito Mussolini

I've had my fill of Hitler. These conferences called by the ringing of a bell are not to my liking. The bell is rung when people call their servants. And besides, what kind of conferences are these? For five hours I am forced to listen to a monologue which is quite fruitless and boring — Benito Mussolini

Democracy is talking itself to death. The people do not know what they want; they do not know what is the best for them. There is too much foolishness, too much lost motion. I have stopped the talk and the nonsense. I am a man of action. Democracy is beautiful in theory; in practice it is a fallacy. You in America will see that some day. — Benito Mussolini

The State, in fact, as the universal ethical will, is the creator of right. — Benito Mussolini

Tomorrow, the Tripartite Pact will become an instrument of just peace between the peoples. Italians! Once more arise and be worthy of this historical hour! We shall win. — Benito Mussolini

The Government has been compelled to levy taxes which unavoidably hit large sections of the population. The Italian people are disciplined, silent and calm, they work and know that there is a Government which governs, and know, above all, that if this Government hits cruelly certain sections of the Italian people, it does not so out of caprice, but from the supreme necessity of national order. — Benito Mussolini

It is better to live one day as a lion than 100 years as a sheep. — Benito Mussolini

Youth is a malady of which one becomes cured a little every day. — Benito Mussolini

The Liberal State is a mask behind which there is no face; it is a scaffolding behind which there is no building. — Benito Mussolini

We become strongest, I feel, when we have no friends upon whom to lean, or to look for moral gudance — Benito Mussolini

People are tired of liberty. They have had a surfeit of it. Liberty is no longer a chaste and austere virgin ... Today's youth are moved by other slogans ... Order, Hierarchy, Discipline. — Benito Mussolini

You must always be doing things and obviously succeeding. The hard part is to keep people always at the window because of the spectacle you put on for them. And you must do this for years. — Benito Mussolini

Liberty is no longer the virgin, chaste and severe, to be fought for ... we have buried the putrid corpse of liberty ... the Italian people are a race of sheep. — Benito Mussolini

The Italian proletariat needs a blood bath for it force to be renewed. — Benito Mussolini

The state reserves the right to be the sole interpreter of the needs of society. — Benito Mussolini

For the Fascist, everything is the State, and nothing human or spiritual exists, much less has value, outside the State. In this sense Fascism is totalitarian. — Benito Mussolini

If two irreconcilable elements are struggling with each other, the solution lies in force. There has never been any other solution in history, and there never will be. — Benito Mussolini

We deny your internationalism, because it is a luxury which only the upper classes can afford. — Benito Mussolini

War is the normal state of the people. — Benito Mussolini

Fascism is a religious conception in which man is seen in his immanent relationship with a superior law and with an objective Will that transcends the particular individual. — Benito Mussolini

We have buried the putrid corpse of liberty — Benito Mussolini

We must give Italians a sense of race. — Benito Mussolini

You know what I think about violence. For me it is profoundly moral -more moral than compromises and transactions. — Benito Mussolini

Fascism accepts the individual only insofar as his interests coincide with the state's. — Benito Mussolini

Fortunately the Italian people is not habituated to eating several times a day. — Benito Mussolini

State intervention in economic production arises only when private initiative is lacking or insufficient, or when the political interests of the State are involved. This intervention may take the form of control, assistance or direct management. — Benito Mussolini

The Fascist State lays claim to rule in the economic field no less than in others; it makes its action felt throughout the length and breadth of the country by means of its corporate, social, and educational institutions, and all the political, economic, and spiritual forces of the nation, organised in their respective associations, circulate within the State. — Benito Mussolini

It's good to trust others but, not to do so is much better. — Benito Mussolini

Fascism is not an article for export. — Benito Mussolini

If you acquit me, you will give me great pleasure. If you condemn me you will do me honour! — Benito Mussolini

Religion is man-made to assist in controlling the weak minded individuals because during times of atrocity and despair they feel strength in numbers. — Benito Mussolini

On the morrow of each conflict I gave the categorical order to confiscate the largest possible number of weapons of every sort and kind. — Benito Mussolini

It is the State which educates its citizens in civic virtue, gives them a consciousness of their mission and welds them into unity. — Benito Mussolini

I have been a racist since 1921. I don't know how they can think I'm imitating Hitler, — Benito Mussolini

Fortunately the Italian people has not yet accustomed itself to eat many times a day, and possessing a modest level of living, it feels deficiency and suffering less. — Benito Mussolini

Italian journalism is free because it serves one cause and one purpose ... mine! — Benito Mussolini

I want to make my own life a masterpiece. — Benito Mussolini

Italy wants peace and quiet, work and calm. I will give these things with love if possible and with force if necessary. — Benito Mussolini

If I advance; follow me. If I retreat; kill me. If I die; avenge me! It is better to live one day as a lion than one-hundred years as a sheep! — Benito Mussolini

Our program is simple: we wish to govern Italy. They ask us for programs but there are already too many. It is not programs that are wanting for the salvation of Italy but men and will power. — Benito Mussolini

The Mediterranean will be turned into an Italian lake. — Benito Mussolini

The Fascist conception of the State is all-embracing; outside of it no human or spiritual values can exist, much less have value. Thus understood, Fascism is totalitarian, and the Fascist State
a synthesis and a unit inclusive of all values
interprets, develops, and potentiates the whole life of a people. — Benito Mussolini

Democratic regimes may be defined as those in which, every now and then, the people are given the illusion of being sovereign, while the true sovereignty in actual fact resides in other forces which are sometimes irresponsible and secret. — Benito Mussolini

At every hour of every day, I can tell you on which page of which book each school child in Italy is studying. — Benito Mussolini

The mass, whether it be a crowd or an army, is vile. — Benito Mussolini

Our future lies to the east and south, in Asia and Africa. — Benito Mussolini

I am not a collector of deserts! — Benito Mussolini

This is the epitaph I want on my tomb: Here lies one of the most intelligent animals who ever appeared on the face of the earth. — Benito Mussolini

Journalism is not a profession, but a mission. — Benito Mussolini

There is the great, silent, continuous struggle: the struggle between the State and the Individual; between the State which demands and the individual who attempts to evade such demands. Because the individual, left to himself, unless he be a saint or hero, always refuses to pay taxes, obey laws, or go to war. — Benito Mussolini

The struggle between the two worlds [Fascism and Democracy] can permit no compromises. It's either Us or Them! — Benito Mussolini

There is no revolution that can change the nature of man — Benito Mussolini

In Fascism the State is not a night-watchman, only occupied with the personal safety of the citizens. — Benito Mussolini

Three cheers for war, noble and beautiful above all. — Benito Mussolini

Speeches made to the people are essential to the arousing of enthusiasm for a war. — Benito Mussolini

What the proletariat needs is a bath of blood. — Benito Mussolini

Liberty is a duty, not a right. — Benito Mussolini

Democracy is beautiful in theory; in practice it is a fallacy. — Benito Mussolini

It is my conviction that in time of war, when the cannon speaks with its powerful voice, the less we speak the better. — Benito Mussolini

War alone brings up to their highest tension all human energies and imposes the stamp of nobility upon the peoples who have the courage to make it. — Benito Mussolini

The measures adopted to restore public order are: First of all, the elimination of the so-called subversive elements ... They were elements of disorder and subversion. On the morrow of each conflict I gave the categorical order to confiscate the largest possible number of weapons of every sort and kind. This confiscation, which continues with the utmost energy, has given satisfactory results. — Benito Mussolini

Democracy is a kingless regime infested by many kings who are sometimes more exclusive, tyrannical and destructive than one, even if he be a tyrant. — Benito Mussolini

As regards the Liberal doctrines, the attitude of Fascism is one of absolute opposition both in the political and in the economical field. — Benito Mussolini

I am desperately Italian. I believe in the function of Latinity. — Benito Mussolini

Fascism should rightly be called corporatism, as it is the merger of corporate and government power. — Benito Mussolini

Fascism, the more it considers and observes the future and the development of humanity quite apart from political considerations of the moment, believes neither in the possibility nor the utility of perpetual peace. It thus repudiates the doctrine of Pacifism - born of a renunciation of the struggle and an act of cowardice in the face of sacrifice. War alone brings up to its highest tension all human energy and puts the stamp of nobility upon the peoples who have courage to meet it. — Benito Mussolini

State ownership! It leads only to absurd and monstrous conclusions; state ownership means state monopoly, concentrated in the hands of one party and its adherents, and that state brings only ruin and bankruptcy to all. — Benito Mussolini

We do not argue with those who disagree with us, we destroy them. — Benito Mussolini

Yet if anyone cares to read over the now crumbling minutes giving an account of the meetings at which the Italian Fasci di Combattimento were founded, he will find not a doctrine but a series of pointers ... It may be objected that this program implies a return to the guilds (corporazioni). No matter! ... I therefore hope this assembly will accept the economic claims advanced by national syndicalism. — Benito Mussolini

Every anarchist is a baffled dictator. — Benito Mussolini

It is not impossible to rule Italians, but it would be useless. — Benito Mussolini

Blood alone literally moves the wheels of history. — Benito Mussolini

I do not intend to defend capitalism or capitalists. They, like everything human, have their defects. I only say their possibilities of usefulness are not ended.
Capitalism has borne the monstrous burden of the war and today still has the strength to shoulder the burdens of peace ...
It is not simply and solely an accumulation of wealth, it is an elaboration, a selection, a co-ordination of values which is the work of centuries ...
Many think, and I myself am one of them, that capitalism is scarcely at the beginning of its story. — Benito Mussolini

If only we can give them faith that mountains can be moved, they will accept the illusion that mountains are moveable, and thus an illusion may become reality. — Benito Mussolini

A nation of spaghetti eaters cannot restore Roman civilization! — Benito Mussolini

The fascist state is the corporate state. — Benito Mussolini

Yes, a dictator can be loved. Provided that the masses fear him at the same time. The crowd love strong men. The crowd is like a woman. — Benito Mussolini

Given that the nineteenth century was the century of Socialism, of Liberalism, and of Democracy, it does not necessarily follow that the twentieth century must also be a century of Socialism, Liberalism and Democracy: political doctrines pass, but humanity remains, and it may rather be expected that this will be a century of authority ... a century of Fascism. For if the nineteenth century was a century of individualism it may be expected that this will be the century of collectivism and hence the century of the State. — Benito Mussolini

The function of a citizen and a soldier are inseparable. — Benito Mussolini