76 Mexican Revolution Quotes: From Villa to Zapata

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EMILLIANO ZAPATA QUOTES

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Emiliano Zapata was a leading figure in the Mexican Revolution, who fought for the rights of peasants and land reform in Mexico.

“Land and Liberty!”

"I'd rather die on my feet than live on my knees."

"I am resolved to struggle against everything and everybody."

"We are not personalists; we are partisans of principles and not of men!"

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"The one who wants to be an eagle that flies, who wants to be a worm that crawls but does not scream when someone steps on it."

"The enemies of the country and of freedom of the people have always denounced as bandits."

"I am determined to fight against everything, and against everyone without any bulwark, other than the trust and support of my people."

"The indispensable thing is that we all go resolute to defend the common interest, and to rescue the part of sovereignty that is taken from us."

"The land belongs to those who work it."

"The people are the ones who have the right to govern."

"The revolution is not a game, it is a serious matter."

"We are not fighting for power, we are fighting for justice."

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"The people are the ones who have the right to decide."

"The land is not a commodity, it is a right."

"We are not fighting against the government, we are fighting for the government."

"The people are the ones who have the right to be free."

"The revolution is not a matter of personal interests, it is a matter of the common good."

"The land is not a thing to be bought or sold, it is a thing to be shared."

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PANCHO VILLA QUOTES

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Pancho Villa was a prominent Mexican Revolutionary general and one of the most important figures of the Mexican Revolution, leading the Division of the North in a series of battles and raids against the Mexican government and U.S. forces.

"Men will not forget that Pancho Villa was loyal to the cause of the people."

"It is just that we all aspire to be more, but also that we all make use of our actions."

"I, Pancho Villa, was a loyal man that destiny brought the world to fight for the good of the poor and that I will never betray nor forget my people."

The country must be governed by someone who really loves his people and his land, who shares wealth and progress. I have all that, only that I am ignorant."

"Companions of arms and lords. Do not believe that the one who is going to speak to them is a philosopher, I am a man of people, but you will understand that these men when they speak, speak with the heart."

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"There can be no dictator without his army."

"Armies are the greatest supporters of tyranny."

"What would be of the world if we were all generals if we were all capitalists or we were all poor?"

"[Politicians] spend their time discussing nonsense and stealing money that belongs to the people."

"Don't let it end like this. Tell them I said something."

“If I could bring that about today by giving up my life, I would do it gladly."

"What else is there for the rich to do, If not to relieve the poor of their misery?"

"You Americans don't take off your hats when you come to my headquarters, do you?"

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"Humble people like me fight for justice and for better luck."

"My sole ambition is to rid Mexico of the class that has oppressed her."

"When the new republic is established, there will be no more army in Mexico."

"I am not an educated man. I never had an opportunity to learn anything except how to fight."

"It is the Revolution, the magical word, the word that is going to hang everything, that is going to bring us immense delight and a quick death."

"You, sir, have destroyed the revolution. It's simple: this bunch of dandies have made a fool of you, and this will eventually cost us our necks, yours included."

"The brutality and uncouthness of many of the revolutionary leaders has not prevented them from becoming popular myths. Villa still gallops through the north, in songs and ballads; Zapata dies at every popular fair."

"I have the duty to inform you that Pancho Villa is everywhere and nowhere at the same time."

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"I understand that the war is made by us, the ignorant men."

"When I was governor of Chihuahua, nearly 50 schools were built in the first month of my administration. I did not go to one, but I knew the importance of education to get ahead."

"A priest is a businessman like any other."

"The education of the children of my people is something that must not go unnoticed by the rulers and the citizens. The educational problem has never been given its necessary attention."

"I have walked among millions of ounces of gold, and I swear to you, I have never stolen anything. If I had done so, like many, Francisco Villa would have been a disgrace to his race!"

"Alcohol kills the poor and education saves them."

"I am a fighter, not a statesman."

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FRANCISCO I. MADERO QUOTES

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Francisco I. Madero was a democratic reformist politician who served as the 33rd president of Mexico from 1911 until his assassination in 1913, and whose opposition to the Díaz regime and success in the initial phase of the Mexican Revolution made him a national hero.

“Effective suffrage, no re-election.”

“With these events, I understand that those who wanted change should not have expected anything from above.”

"It is necessary to remove from power the audacious usurpers who, under any title of legality, hold a scandalous and immoral fraud.”

“ It was the duty of every citizen to be concerned about public affairs and the fear that held us back, which was perhaps unfounded but certainly humiliating and shameful.”

“It is rare for those with absolute power to maintain moderation and not give in to their passions.”

“A good government can only exist when there are good citizens.”

“I am prouder of the victories achieved in the field of democracy than those achieved on the battlefield”

"By conquering our liberties, we have conquered a new weapon; that weapon is the vote.”

“Public power cannot have any other origin or basis than national will.”

“The Mexican people are fit for democracy and thirsty for freedom”

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VENUSTIANO CARRANZA QUOTES

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Venustiano Carranza was one of the main leaders of the Mexican Revolution, serving as the head of the Constitutionalist Army, and later as the 44th President of Mexico from 1917 until his assassination in 1920.

"Nothing is more sacred than the Constitution and the laws of a country."

"The Revolution is not a movement of hatred, but of justice."

"We must fight for freedom and justice, without hatred or resentment."

"The Revolution is not an end in itself, but a means to achieve social justice."

"Our struggle is for the dignity and rights of the Mexican people."

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PORFIRIO DIAZ QUOTES

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Porfirio Díaz was a Mexican general and politician who served seven terms as President of Mexico, totaling almost 31 years, from 1876 to 1880 and from 1884 to 1911, with a period of rule characterized by economic growth, modernization, and significant political repression that ultimately led to the outbreak of the Mexican Revolution.

"Poor Mexico, so far from God and so close to the United States."

"Bread and stick."

"That no citizen is perpetuated in power and this will be the last revolution."

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"Order and progress."

"In this twilight of my life only one desire remains: the happiness of my country, the happiness of my own."

"Madero has released the tiger, to see if he can tame him."

"It is very natural in democratic peoples that their rulers change frequently."

"We will fight for the cause of the people, and the people will be the sole owner of their victory."

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"Mexicans are content to eat disorderly snacks, get up late, be public servants with sponsors of influence, attend their work without punctuality, get sick frequently and obtain licenses with pay; to have fun incessantly, to marry very young and to have children on pasture; spend more than they earn and end up for parties."

"I can separate myself from the presidency of Mexico without regret or regret; But I can not, as long as I live, stop serving this country."

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RICARDO FLORES MAGÓN

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Ricardo Flores Magón was a prominent Mexican anarchist, political activist, and journalist who played a significant role in the Mexican Revolution through his writings and opposition to the Díaz regime, advocating for social reforms and influencing the ideology of the revolution.

"Nothing is more disheartening than a satisfied slave."

"Mutual aid was the rule in these communities [...], there were no judges, mayors, prison guards, or any other harmful individuals. Everyone had the right to the land, water for irrigation, and forests for wood and shelter. [...] It is therefore evident that the Mexican people are capable of achieving communism, as they have functioned on this model, at least in part, for centuries."

"The government is nothing but the Capital's policeman, the terrifying cop who guards the strongboxes of the vultures of banks, commerce, and industry. For Capital, it has respect and is entirely submissive; for the people, it has prisons, barracks, and the gallows."

"I must first emphasize that all governments, without exception, repel me. I am firmly convinced that there can be no good government. They are all harmful, whether they are absolute monarchies, constitutional monarchies, or republics. All government is tyrannical by nature because it opposes individual freedom and only serves to maintain a social state that is not conducive to the full realization of human beings. Governments are the guardians of the wealthy classes and the executioners of the inalienable rights of the proletariat."