The oppressed are allowed once every few years to decide which particular representatives of the oppressing class are to represent and repress them in parliament.

— Vladimir Lenin

There are no morals in politics there is only expedience. A scoundrel may be of use to us just because he is a scoundrel.

— Vladimir Lenin

The task of a truly revolutionary party is not to declare that it is impossible to renounce all compromises, but to be able, through all compromises, when they are unavoidable, to remain true to its principles, to its class, to its revolutionary purpose, to its task of paving the way for revolution and educating the mass of the people for victory in the revolution.

— Vladimir Lenin

To rely upon conviction, devotion, and other excellent spiritual qualities; that is not to be taken seriously in politics.

— Vladimir Lenin

Unity is a great thing and a great slogan. But what the workers’ cause needs is the unity of Marxists, not unity between Marxists, and opponents and distorter of Marxism.

— Vladimir Lenin

We are marching in a compact group along a precipitous and difficult path, firmly holding each other by the hand. We are surrounded on all sides by enemies, and we have to advance almost constantly under their fire. Furthermore, we have combined, by a freely adopted decision, for the purpose of fighting the enemy, and not of retreating into the neighboring marsh, the inhabitants of which, from the very outset, have reproached us with having separated ourselves into an exclusive group and with having chosen the path of struggle instead of the path of conciliation. And now some among us begin to cry out: Let us go into the marsh! And when we begin to shame them, they retort: What backward people you are! Are you not ashamed to deny us the liberty to invite you to take a better road! Oh, yes, gentlemen! You are free not only to invite us, but to go yourselves wherever you will, even into the marsh. In fact, we think that the marsh is your proper place, and we are prepared to render you every assistance to get there. Only let go of our hands, don't clutch at us and don't besmirch the grand word freedom, for we too are "free" to go where we please, free to fight not only against the marsh, but also against those who are turning towards the marsh!

— Vladimir Lenin

When one makes a Revolution, one cannot mark time; one must always go forward - or go back. He who now talks about the 'freedom of the press' goes backward, and halts our headlong course towards Socialism.

— Vladimir Lenin

When there is state there can be no freedom, but when there is freedom there will be no state.

— Vladimir Lenin

While the State exists there can be no freedom when there is freedom there will be no State.

— Vladimir Lenin

Without Revolutionary theory, there can be no Revolutionary Movement.

— Vladimir Lenin