French - Revolutionary | September 6, 1757 - May 20, 1834
Defender of the liberty that I idolize, myself more free than anyone, in coming as a friend to offer my services to this intriguing republic, I bring to it only my frankness and my good will; no ambition, no self-interest; in working for my glory, I work for their happiness.
Marquis de Lafayette
WorkGoodFriendHappinessMyself
One time, I was given an essay topic: to describe a perfect horse, whom the mere sight of the rider's whip would make obedient. I depicted this perfect horse throwing his rider at the sight of the whip.
TimeHorsePerfectSightEssayWhom
I can assure the Marquis de Chasteler that it is my unalterable determination never to set foot on any territory which acknowledges obedience to His Majesty the King of Bohemia and Hungary.
DeterminationKingI CanObedience
It was by a Maryland colonel in the year 1777 that the British received, in the gallant defense of an important fort, one of the first lessons of what they were to expect from American valor and patriotism.
PatriotismAmericanYearImportant
Do not calculate what I have done, for I shall accept no recompense. Calculate the public advantage, the welfare and liberty of my country, and believe that I shall refuse no burden, no danger, provided that, at the hour of tranquillity, I may return to private life, for there now remains but one step for my ambition - that of arriving at zero.
LifeStepAmbitionBelieveLiberty
The Huron and Iroquois forests are peopled by my friends; with me, the despots of Europe and their courts are the savages.
MeFriendsEuropeForestsIroquois
True republicanism is the sovereignty of the people. There are natural and imprescriptible rights which an entire nation has no right to violate.
PeopleTrueRightNationRights
I am able to say that I was very much liked at the school. I even had quite some ascendancy over my comrades, and as soon as I appeared in the school yard, I was surrounded by young friends, most of them bigger than I, but who were quite willing to give the appearance of disciples; they would have defended me furiously if necessary.
SchoolI AmMeFriendsAppearance
When the government violates the people's rights, insurrection is, for the people and for each portion of the people, the most sacred of the rights and the most indispensible of duties.
GovernmentPeopleRightsSacredMost
Nature has made men free and equal. The distinctions necessary for social order are only founded on general utility.
NatureMenEqualityFreeEqualMade
In America there are none poor, and none even that can be called peasants. Each citizen has some property, and all citizens have the same rights as the richest individual, or landed proprietor, in the country.
AmericaCountryCitizenPoorRights
Charleston is one of the best built, handsomest, and most agreeable cities that I have ever seen.
BestSeenMostBuiltCharleston
Copyright © 2024 QuotesDict Marquis de Lafayette quotes