Quotes by Lajos Kossuth

About Lajos Kossuth:

Lajos (Louis) Kossuth de Udvard et Kossuthfalva was a Hungarian lawyer, journalist, politician and Governor-President of the Kingdom of Hungary during the revolution of 1848–49. He was widely honored during his lifetime, including in the United Kingdom and the United States, as a freedom fighter and bellwether of democracy in Europe. Kossuth's bronze bust can be found in the United States Capitol with the inscription: "Father of Hungarian Democracy, Hungarian Statesman, Freedom Fighter, 1848–1849".
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

Hungary is, in a word, in a state of WAR against the Hapsburg dynasty, a war of legitimate defence, by which alone it can ever regain independence and freedom.

Lajos Kossuth

The power that is supported by force alone will have cause often to tremble.

Lajos Kossuth

Neutrality, as a lasting principle, is an evidence of weakness.

Lajos Kossuth

Now that I am a deputy, I will cease to be an agitator.

Lajos Kossuth

I can understand Communism, but not Socialism.

Lajos Kossuth

I consider no man honest who does not observe towards other nations the principles which he desires to be observed towards his own: and therefore I will not interfere in your domestic questions.

Lajos Kossuth

My nomination to be Governor was not to gratify ambition.

Lajos Kossuth

Yet my humble capacity has not preserved me from calumnies.

Lajos Kossuth

The policy of the house of Austria, which aimed at destroying the independence of Hungary as a state, has been pursued unaltered for three hundred years.

Lajos Kossuth

The Hungarian ministry begged the king earnestly to issue orders to all troops and commanders of fortresses in Hungary, enjoining fidelity to the Constitution, and obedience to the ministers of Hungary.

Lajos Kossuth

I am a straightforward man.

Lajos Kossuth

I came not to your glorious shores to enjoy a happy rest - I came not to gather triumphs of personal distinction, but as a humble petitioner, in my country's name, as its freely chosen constitutional leader, to entreat your generous aid.

Lajos Kossuth

Upon this the Hungarian ministers resigned, but the names submitted by the president of the council, at the demand of the king, were not approved of for successors.

Lajos Kossuth

If I had undertaken the practical direction of military operations, and anything went amiss, I feared that my conscience would torture me, as guilty of the fall of my country, as I had not been familiar with military tactics.

Lajos Kossuth

I believe that the confidence of Hungary in me is not shaken by misfortune nor broken by my calumniators.

Lajos Kossuth

I must therefore implore your indulgence for a pretty long and plain development of my views concerning that cause which the citizens of New York, and you particularly, gentlemen, honour with generous interest.

Lajos Kossuth

And if you cannot remain indifferent, you must resolve to throw your weight into that balance in which the fate and condition of man is weighed.

Lajos Kossuth

It is chiefly in New York that I feel induced to urge this, because New York is, by innumerable ties, connected with Europe - more connected than several parts of Europe itself.

Lajos Kossuth

Even in political considerations, now-a-days, you have stronger motives to feel interested in the fate of Europe than in the fate of the Central or Southern parts of America.

Lajos Kossuth

Your generous part in my liberation is taken by the world for the revelation of the fact, that the United States are resolved not to allow the despots of the world to trample on oppressed humanity.

Lajos Kossuth

Author Bio

  • NameLajos Kossuth
  • DescriptionHungarian politician
  • BornSeptember 16, 1802
  • DiedMarch 20, 1894
  • CountryHungary
  • ProfessionEconomist; Journalist; Politician