Leon Trotsky

Learning carries within itself certain dangers because out of necessity one has to learn from one's enemies.

You may not be interested in strategy, but strategy is interested in you.

Events can neither be regarded as a series of adventures nor strung on the thread of a preconceived moral. They must obey their own laws.

Everyone has the right to be stupid on occasion, but Comrade Macdonald abuses the privilege.

The depth and strength of a human character are defined by its moral reserves. People reveal themselves completely only when they are thrown out of the customary conditions of their life, for only then do they have to fall back on their reserves.

From being a patriotic myth, the Russian people have become an awful reality.

The end may justify the means as long as there is something that justifies the end.

The dynamic of revolutionary events is directly determined by swift, intense, and passionate changes in the psychology of classes which have already formed themselves before the revolution.

There are no absolute rules of conduct, either in peace or war. Everything depends on circumstances.

The masses go into a revolution not with a prepared plan of social reconstruction, but with a sharp feeling that they cannot endure the old regime. Only the guiding layers of a class have a political program, and even this still requires the test of events and the approval of the masses.

The historic ascent of humanity, taken as a whole, may be summarized as a succession of victories of consciousness over blind forces - in nature, in society, in man himself.

There is a limit to the application of democratic methods. You can inquire of all the passengers as to what type of car they like to ride in, but it is impossible to question them as to whether to apply the brakes when the train is at full speed and accident threatens.