Truth has a power of its own.… A poem can inspire a movement. A pamphlet can spark a revolution. Civil disobedience can arouse people and provoke us to think.

About Howard Zinn

Howard Zinn (August 24, 1922 – January 27, 2010) was an American historian. He was chair of the history and social sciences department at Spelman College, and a political science professor at Boston University. Zinn wrote more than 20 books, including his best-selling and influential A People's History of the...

More quotations from Howard Zinn

If those in charge of our society—politicians, corporate executives, and owners of press and television—can dominate our ideas, they will be secure in their power. They will not need soldiers patrolling the streets. We will control ourselves.

—Howard Zinn

politics power television control press domination

It is supposed to be part of the American tradition that if we want to step out of line, we step out of line. Democracy isn't falling in line behind the president. Democracy is for people to think independently, be skeptical of government, look around and try to find out what's going on. And if they find out that government is deceiving them, to speak out as loudly as they can.

—Howard Zinn

politics power democracy government protest America skepticism

It must surely be a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit that even a small number of those men and women in the hell of the prison system survive it and hold on to their humanity.

—Howard Zinn

humanity prison

More quotations tagged with “revolution”

Remember, remember always that all of us, and you and I especially, are descended from immigrants and revolutionists.

—Franklin D. Roosevelt

USA revolution immigration

The whole world is in revolt. Soon there will be only five Kings left—the King of England, the King of Spades, The King of Clubs, the King of Hearts, and the King of Diamonds.

—King Farouk of Egypt

revolution monarchy cards kings

Revolution is not a onetime event.

—Audre Lorde

revolution

Revolutions are not made: they come. A revolution is as natural a growth as an oak. It comes out of the past. Its foundations are laid far back.

—Wendell Phillips

past growth evolution revolution

It's a sad and stupid thing to have to proclaim yourself a revolutionary just to be a decent man.

—David Harris

revolution decency

History

24 Oct 2015 Added
26 Oct 2026 Wording changed

Previous wording

Truth has a power of its own. . . . A poem can inspire a movement. A pamphlet can spark a revolution. Civil disobedience can arouse people and provoke us to think.