Quotes by Jose Rizal

About Jose Rizal:

José Protasio Mercado Rizal y Alonso Realonda is widely considered one of the greatest heroes of the Philippines, and is implied by Philippine law to be a national hero. He was the author of the novels Noli Me Tángere, and El Filibusterismo, and a number of poems and essays.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Why independence, if the slaves of today will be the tyrants of tomorrow?

Jose Rizal

The example could encourage others who only fear to start.

Jose Rizal

What said those two souls communicating through the language of the eyes, more perfect than that of the lips, the language given to the soul in order that sound may not mar the ecstasy of feeling? In such moments, when the thoughts of two happy being...

Jose Rizal

For myself I think that one wrong does not right the other, and forgiveness cannot be won with useless tears or alms to the Church.

Jose Rizal

I have to believe much in God because I have lost my faith in man.

Jose Rizal

I can concede that the government has no knowledge of the people, but I believe the people know less of the government. There are useless officials, evil, if you like, but there are also good ones, and these are not able to accomplish anything becaus...

Jose Rizal

I honor the father in his son, not the son in his father. Each one receives a reward or punishment for his deeds, but not for the acts of others.

Jose Rizal

I have observed that the prosperity or misery of each people is in direct proportion to its liberties or its prejudices and, accordingly, to the sacrifices or the selfishness of its forefathers. -Juan Crisostomo Ibarra

Jose Rizal

Let us not ask for miracles, let us not ask for concern with what is good for the country of him who comes as a stranger to make his fortune and leave afterwards.

Jose Rizal

How long have you been away from the country?" Laruja asked Ibarra. "Almost seven years." "Then you have probably forgotten all about it." "Quite the contrary. Even if my country does seem to have forgotten me, I have always thought about it.

Jose Rizal

Your enemies hate you more than they hate your ideas. Should you want a project to be undone propose it. Even if it were as useful as a bishop's mire it would be rejected. Once you are defeated let the humblest-looking among you sponsor it and your e...

Jose Rizal

....let her be loved not only for her beauty and amiable character, but also for her strength of mind and loftiness of purpose, which enliven and raise the feeble and the timid and ward off all vain thoughts. Let her be the pride of her country and l...

Jose Rizal

Experience has everywhere shown us, and especially in the Philippines, that the classes which are better off have always been addicted to peace and order because they live comparatively better and may be the losers in civil disturbances.

Jose Rizal

Routine is a declivity down which many governments slide, and routine says that freedom of the press is dangerous.

Jose Rizal

It is probable that England will look favorably upon the independence of the Philippines, for it will open their ports to her and afford greater freedom to her commerce.

Jose Rizal

No one ceases to be a man, no one forfeits his rights to civilization merely by being more or less uncultured, and since the Filipino is regarded as a fit citizen when he is asked to pay taxes or shed his blood to defend the fatherland, why must this...

Jose Rizal

I may be what my enemies desire me to be, yet never an accusation are they able to hurl against me which makes me blush or lower my forehead; and I hope that God will be merciful enough with me, to prevent me from committing one of those faults which...

Jose Rizal

Wealth brings with it refinement, the spirit of conservation, while poverty inspires adventurous ideas, the desire to change things, and has little care for life.

Jose Rizal

Since it is necessary to grant six million Filipinos their rights, so that they may be in fact Spaniards, let the government grant these rights freely and spontaneously, without damaging reservations, without irritating mistrust.

Jose Rizal

The batteries are gradually becoming charged, and if the prudence of the government does not provide an outlet for the currents that are accumulating, some day the spark will be generated.

Jose Rizal

Author Bio

  • NameJose Rizal
  • Descriptionnational hero of the Philippines
  • AliasesPepe; Jose Rizal; José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda
  • BornJune 19, 1861
  • DiedDecember 30, 1896
  • CountryPhilippines
  • ProfessionWriter; Linguist; Ophthalmologist; Artist; Painter