If you read about Latin American history, there’s no other historical figure that springs out of the text as the late Simon Bolivar. He is a Venezuelan hero who started a startling trajectory as a revolutionary figure. Bolivar led a colorful life. Like any aristocrat during his time, he was sent to school to learn various fields of knowledge. Life was good then, and he had a lot of affection at home. It was not until his parents died when he was barely in his teens that changed.
Below are quotes collected in his journals and speeches. It was reported that in his deathbed, he wanted his journal to be burned. The keeper of his estate refused, and that is why we get to enjoy his wisdom.
A state too expensive in itself, or by virtue of its dependencies, ultimately falls into decay; its free government is transformed into a tyranny; it disregards the principles which it should preserve, and finally degenerates into despotism. The distinguishing characteristic of small republics is stability: the character of large republics is mutability.
The quote resonates with the kind of passion that Bolivar had when it comes to freedom. Tyranny was no friend of his while he was alive. And even in his death, the seeds of his revolution continue to grow in the hearts of every nation. You don’t have to be a Venezuelan to appreciate his mindset. Every decent nation or people should take his words with weight.
When tyranny becomes law, rebellion is a right.
Here, Bolivar knew what fascism was before it became a term. He noticed the oppression of the Spaniards towards the Latin American, and that became the focal point of his revolution.
Nations will march towards the apex of their greatness at the same pace as their education. Nations will soar if their education soars; they will regress if it regresses. Nations will fall and sink in darkness if education is corrupted or completely abandoned
Bolivar emphasized the importance of education as a way to improve a nation. He believed that people would stay weak as long as they are ignorant. BHe believed that education is the basis of all civilization. Thinking about it, I think that if he were alive today, his ideas would still be relevant in some countries.
The art of victory is learned in defeat.
In this quote, Bolivar became a sage. He knew the prize of failure from experience. Every bad judgment gives way to realizations. A billionaire had to go through bad days before he or she got into such a place. We learn from our mistakes; therefore, we should see the unfortunate situation as an opportunity to grow into a better human being.
This quote gives us the value of defeat as a way to learn. As a revolutionary, he experienced victory and defeat in the field of war.
The United States appear to be destined by Providence to plague America with misery in the name of liberty.
Bolivar learned a lot from American values. Thus, this is from the writing of Thomas Jefferson: The Declaration of independence. Based on his observation, there will always be powerful people who will never be happy with democracy.
The continuation of authority has frequently proved the undoing of democratic governments. Repeated elections are essential to the system of popular governments, because there is nothing so dangerous as to suffer power to be vested for a long time in one citizen. The people become accustomed to obeying him, and he becomes accustomed to commanding, hence the origin of usurpation and tyranny.
Bolivar describes the nature of fascism before it even existed. He believed that in a weaker mind, power could corrupt. He also believed in the cycle of tyranny, where a tyrant will overpower the powerless, and the powerless will have no choice but to surrender.
The freedom of the New World is the hope of the Universe.
Bolivar believed in the interrelatedness of values. He believes in consistency. He might not be a perfect human being, but his flaws are human. He believed that justice is also about liberty. How can you say that you are a free nation when you enslave your fellow men and oppress the poor?
If Nature is against us, we shall fight Nature and make it obey.
We can learn from the fierceness of Bolivar, in the field of battle through this quote. It also shows us the persistence of the man to achieve his goals. He was famous for his bravery.
Among the popular and representative systems of government I do not approve of the federal system: it is too perfect; and it requires virtues and political talents much superior to our own.
As much as he admired the American way of governing, he believed that people still need a stronger ruler. And that is why he thinks the federal system would not work in his country.
Colombians! My last wish is for the happiness of the patria. If my death contributes to the end of partisanship and the consolidation of the union, I shall be lowered in peace into my grave.
Bolivar believed in peace and unity. Even though he was a primary figure in the Venezuelan revolution, he believed in harmony among men. Francisco de Paula Santander was Bolivar’s best friend before they fell out. Hence, this was due to their opposing beliefs. Santander favored the law and democracy, and while Bolivar had the same belief, he thought people needed a stronger hand to control them. He believed that the five nations were not ready to stand on their own, as they were so used to the slavery imposed by Spain. This was where his best friend became his worst enemy. Santander was convicted of conspiring to have Bolivar assassinated. In the end, the friends made amends, and Santander became one of the founding fathers of Colombia.
As you can tell, Bolivar’s life was instead filled with highs and lows. It was a life of excess, passion, and also intrigue. Perhaps these were the reasons why his story was still celebrated. It was a colorful story. He was not born poor. Rather, he was born from one of the wealthiest families in Venezuela. If you think about wealth, think of it in the status of the Medicis of Europe. That’s how wealthy and influential his family was.
He could have lived an ordinary wealthy life, were it not for the painful circumstances of his youth. These events were pivotal in turning him into one of the fiercest militaries in history.
The Ignorance the people live in leads them to commit mistakes against their own happiness
Bolivar believed in the value of education. To be ignorant is to be chained in the whims of the rich and the powerful. He knew the value of education at an early age because of the kind of exposure he had. He was tutored by people who have a progressive mindset, and these qualities mold him into a man he turned out to be in the end.
God grants victory to perseverance.
Bolivar was a man of faith. He also believed in perseverance to achieve something great. Combining the two values made elevated him to greatness. Perhaps we can say that they are the same qualities that are embodied by great minds in history.
War lives on despotism and is not waged with God’s love.
Bolivar was a Catholic, and his faith had a huge influence on his makeup. He believed in the virtues taught in the Bible and that men were created equal. This strong sense of faith was also the fuel of his revolution. It was through his faith and intelligence that he gained such status as a revolutionary figure in history.
Flee the country where a lone man holds all power: It is a nation of slaves.
We can learn about the value of failure from Bolivar. He was perhaps the first motivational guru way before there was such a title. You can tell by reading his biography that he was not ashamed of his flaws, and he believed we could all become better human beings when we learn from these flaws. . . . . . . . .
Is it conceivable that a newly emancipated people can soar to the heights of liberty, and, unlike Icarus, neither have its wings melt nor fall into an abyss? Such a marvel is inconceivable and without precedent. There is no reasonable probability to bolster our hopes.
Bolivar was a voracious reader of Roman and Greek literature. This was due to the people who tutored him in his youth. His optimism was shaped by the characters he admired both in history and literature.
It is harder to release a nation from servitude than to enslave a free nation.
In this quote, we can tell that Bolivar hated fascism and dictatorship. He believed how power could corrupt a person. Spain was powerful during his time. It was through this power that the weak were oppressed. He tried his best to fight the system and liberate the five nations.
Slavery is the offspring of darkness.
If there’s one thing that Bolivar thought as his enemy, then it has to be slavery. He has seen how this cycle had ravaged nations as a young man. Any nation which practiced slavery was doomed to have a revolution.
The three greatest fools of History have been Jesus Christ, Don Quixote . . . and me!
As a great reader of history and religion, Bolivar read a lot from iconic figures. One from Cervantes and the other one from the Holy Bible. His life was colorful.
The first duty of a government is to give education to the people.
Like his other quotes, this one is also about the importance of education. In his time, it was only people of priveledges who had the luxury of being educated. Two hundred years later we have the Internet and people can just get information for free. Our world today would have fascinated him.
It is harder to maintain the balance of freedom than it is to endure the weight of tyranny.
Bolivar believed in peace and unity. Even though he was a primary figure in the Venezuelan revolution, he believed in harmony among men. Francisco de Paula Santander was Bolivar’s best friend before they fell out. This was due to their opposing beliefs. Santander favored the law and democracy, and while Bolivar had the same belief, he thought people needed a stronger hand to control them. He believed that the five nations were not ready to stand on their own, as they were so used to the slavery imposed by Spain. This was where his best friend became his worst enemy. Santander was convicted of conspiring to have Bolivar assassinated. In the end, the friends made amends, and Santander became one of the founding fathers of Colombia.
Legislators could certainly do with a school of morals.
Bolivar was highly critical of the hypocrisy surrounding the people of power during his time. That’s why he did what he had to do to combat these things that he was opposed to.
Morals and lights are our first necessities.
As a deeply spiritual and religious person, Bolivar made it clear that people of power should have values that are ideal and follow the righteousness associated with the bible. He believed that a person with high morals and accountability would never be a tyrant.
A people that loves freedom will in the end be free.
Bolivar believed that human beings have a basic longing for freedom. He believed that tyranny could only exist up to a point. People will always rebel because they will always want freedom.
To do something right it must be done twice. The first time instructs the second.
Bolivar believed in the thoroughness of execution when it comes to plans. This was the framework of his revolution. This was also the reason why his revolution was successful.
When mankind was in its infancy, steeped in uncertainty, ignorance, and error, was it possible to foresee what system it would adopt for preservation.
Bolivar studied history and literature. He based his outlook on all the revolutions that shaped the world. This was why it dawned upon him to do what he did for his country. He knew that human suffering was based on the longing for freedom.
Damn it, how will I ever get out of this labyrinth
As you can tell, Bolivar’s life was instead filled with highs and lows. It was a life of excess, passion, and also intrigue. Perhaps these were the reasons why his story was still celebrated. It was a colorful story. He was not born poor. Rather, he was born from one of the wealthiest families in Venezuela. If you think about wealth, think of it in the status of the Medicis of Europe. That’s how wealthy and influential his family was.
Our hatred knows no bounds, and the war shall be to the death.
He could have lived an ordinary wealthy life, were it not for the painful circumstances of his youth. These events were pivotal in turning him into one of the fiercest militaries in history. Bolivar believed in the value of education. To be ignorant is to be chained in the whims of the rich and the powerful. He knew the value of education at an early age because of the kind of exposure he had. He was tutored by people who have a progressive mindset, and these qualities mold him into a man he turned out to be in the end.
Conclusion
We can learn from the fierceness of Bolivar, in the field of battle through these quotes. It also shows us the persistence of the man to achieve his goals. He was famous for his bravery. We can learn about the value of failure from Bolivar. He was perhaps the first motivational guru way before there was such a title. If you want to know more about him, watch the Netflix series called Bolivar. You can also visit his memorial at the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, Santa Marta, Colombia.
Bolivar will continue to live in history books hundreds of years from now.
