Simon Bolivar Quotes & Sayings

Is it conceivable that a newly emancipated people can soar to the heights of liberty, and, unlike Icarus, neither have its wings melt nor fall into an abyss? Such a marvel is inconceivable and without precedent. There is no reasonable probability to bolster our hopes. — Simon Bolivar

It is harder to release a nation from servitude than to enslave a free nation. — Simon Bolivar

An ignorant people is the blind instrument of its own destruction. — Simon Bolivar

If Nature is against us, we shall fight Nature and make it obey. — Simon Bolivar

The freedom of the New World is the hope of the Universe. — Simon Bolivar

The three greatest fools of History have been Jesus Christ, Don Quixote ... and me! — Simon Bolivar

When tyranny becomes law, rebellion is a right. — Simon Bolivar

He who serves a revolution ploughs a sea. — Simon Bolivar

In the unity of our nations rests the glorious future of our peoples. — Simon Bolivar

The first duty of a government is to give education to the people — Simon Bolivar

Do not compare your material forces with those of the enemy. Spirit cannot be compared with matter. You are human beings, they are beasts. You are free, they are slaves. — Simon Bolivar

War lives on despotism and is not waged with God's love. — Simon Bolivar

Republican democracy is overperfect and demands political virtues and talents far superior to our own. — Simon Bolivar

The continuation of authority has frequently proved the undoing of democratic governments. Repeated elections are essential to the system of popular governments, because there is nothing so dangerous as to suffer power to be vested for a long time in one citizen. The people become accustomed to obeying him, and he becomes accustomed to commanding, hence the origin of usurpation and tyranny. — Simon Bolivar

To do something right it must be done twice. The first time instructs the second. — Simon Bolivar

It is harder to maintain the balance of freedom than it is to endure the weight of tyranny. — Simon Bolivar

The art of victory is learned in defeat. — Simon Bolivar

The Ignorance the people live in leads them to commit mistakes against their own happiness — Simon Bolivar

Damn it, how will I ever get out of this labyrinth? — Simon Bolivar

A people that loves freedom will in the end be free. — Simon Bolivar

If Nature is opposed, we will fight her and make her obbey us. — Simon Bolivar

Let the entire system of government be strengthened, and let the balance of power be drawn up in such a manner that it will be permanent and incapable of decay because of its own tenuity. — Simon Bolivar

Morals and lights are our first necessities. — Simon Bolivar

Nations will march towards the apex of their greatness at the same pace as their education. Nations will soar if their education soars; they will regress if it regresses. Nations will fall and sink in darkness if education is corrupted or completely abandoned — Simon Bolivar

Our hatred knows no bounds, and the war shall be to the death. — Simon Bolivar

God grants victory to perseverance. — Simon Bolivar

Colombians! My last wish is for the happiness of the patria. If my death contributes to the end of partisanship and the consolidation of the union, I shall be lowered in peace into my grave. — Simon Bolivar

Do not adopt the best system of government, but the one most likely to succeed. — Simon Bolivar

The United States appear to be destined by Providence to plague America with misery in the name of liberty. — Simon Bolivar

Legislators could certainly do with a school of morals. — Simon Bolivar

When mankind was in its infancy, steeped in uncertainty, ignorance, and error, was it possible to foresee what system it would adopt for preservation. — Simon Bolivar

Among the popular and representative systems of government I do not approve of the federal system: it is too perfect; and it requires virtues and political talents much superior to our own. — Simon Bolivar

Slavery is the offspring of darkness. — Simon Bolivar

Out of the most secure things, the most secure is to doubt. — Simon Bolivar

A state too expensive in itself, or by virtue of its dependencies, ultimately falls into decay; its free government is transformed into a tyranny; it disregards the principles which it should preserve, and finally degenerates into despotism. The distinguishing characteristic of small republics is stability: the character of large republics is mutability. — Simon Bolivar

The real discoverer of South America was [Alexander von] Humboldt, since his work was more useful for our people than the work of all conquerors. — Simon Bolivar

Flee the country where a lone man holds all power: It is a nation of slaves. — Simon Bolivar