To punish the oppressors of humanity is clemency; to forgive them is cruelty.

The general will rules in society as the private will governs each separate individual.

The king must die so that the country can live.

The secret of freedom lies in educating people, whereas the secret of tyranny is in keeping them ignorant.

Terror is nothing else than justice, prompt, severe, inflexible.

It has been said that terror is the principle of despotic government. Does your government therefore resemble despotism? Yes, as the sword that gleams in the hands of the heroes of liberty resembles that with which the henchmen of tyranny are armed ... The government of the revolution is liberty's despotism against tyranny.

Terror is nothing more than justice, prompt, secure and inflexible.