1.
When tyranny becomes law, rebellion is a right.
Simon Bolivar
Oppression is legitimized, defiance is justified.
2.
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
3.
An ignorant people is the blind instrument of its own destruction.
Simon Bolivar
A benighted populace is the unwitting agent of its own undoing.
4.
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
5.
The art of victory is learned in defeat.
Simon Bolivar
'Failures are the building blocks of success.'
6.
Flee the country where a lone man holds all power: It is a nation of slaves.
Simon Bolivar
Evacuate the nation where a single person has complete authority: It is a state of bondage.
7.
To do something right it must be done twice. The first time instructs the second.
Simon Bolivar
'Accomplishing something correctly necessitates repetition. The initial effort educates the second attempt.'
8.
A people that loves freedom will in the end be free.
Simon Bolivar
'Those devoted to liberty will ultimately experience liberation.'
9.
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
Do not contrast your spiritual strength with that of the adversary. Metaphysical power can never be rivaled by physical might. You are people, they are animals. You have autonomy, they are subjugated.
10.
The United States appear to be destined by Providence to plague America with misery in the name of liberty.
Simon Bolivar
It appears that Fate has ordained the United States to afflict America with distress in the guise of freedom.
11.
It is harder to maintain the balance of freedom than it is to endure the weight of tyranny.
Simon Bolivar
Preserving the equilibrium of liberty is more burdensome than carrying out the rigors of oppression.
12.
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
My ultimate desire is for the joy of my nation. If my passing aids in the termination of division and strengthens our unity, I will be laid to rest contentedly.
13.
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
14.
In the unity of our nations rests the glorious future of our peoples.
Simon Bolivar
'The splendor of our nations lies in the cohesion of our people.'
15.
The Ignorance the people live in leads them to commit mistakes against their own happiness
Simon Bolivar
The naivety of the populace results in mistakes that thwart their own joy.
16.
The first duty of a government is to give education to the people.
Simon Bolivar
17.
The three greatest fools (majaderos) of history have been Jesus Christ, Don Quixote - and I!
Simon Bolivar
18.
The freedom of the New World is the hope of the Universe.
Simon Bolivar
19.
He who serves a revolution ploughs a sea.
Simon Bolivar
20.
It is harder to release a nation from servitude than to enslave a free nation.
Simon Bolivar
21.
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
22.
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
23.
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
24.
Do not adopt the best system of government, but the one most likely to succeed.
Simon Bolivar
25.
God grants victory to perseverance.
Simon Bolivar
26.
Damn it, how will I ever get out of this labyrinth?
Simon Bolivar
27.
War lives on despotism and is not waged with God's love.
Simon Bolivar
28.
If Nature is against us, we shall fight Nature and make it obey.
Simon Bolivar
29.
Out of the most secure things, the most secure is to doubt.
Simon Bolivar
30.
Our hatred knows no bounds, and the war shall be to the death.
Simon Bolivar
31.
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
32.
Morals and lights are our first necessities.
Simon Bolivar
33.
Slavery is the offspring of darkness.
Simon Bolivar
34.
A state too expensive in itself, or by virtue of its dependencies, ultimately falls into decay.
Simon Bolivar
35.
Republican democracy is overperfect and demands political virtues and talents far superior to our own.
Simon Bolivar
36.
Legislators could certainly do with a school of morals.
Simon Bolivar
37.
If Nature is opposed, we will fight her and make her obbey us.
Simon Bolivar