Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette

Humanity has gained its suit; Liberty will nevermore be without an asylum.

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 indispensable of duties.

True republicanism is the sovereignty of the people. There are natural and imprescriptible rights which an entire nation has no right to violate...

I read, I study, I examine, I listen, I reflect, and out of all of this I try to form an idea into which I put as much common sense as I can.

An irresistible passion that would induce me to believe in innate ideas, and the truth of prophecy, has decided my career. I have always loved liberty with the enthusiasm which actuates the religious man with the passion of a lover, and with the conviction of a geometrician.

Humanity has won its battle. Liberty now has a country.