I was wondering about the origin of that little quote on our new £5 note and I found this transcript of the full speech. I thought I'd share an extract with you as I found it such an interesting read: In this crisis I think I may be pardoned if I do not address the … Continue reading Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat
speech
If there is no struggle, there is no progress
By far one of my favourite speeches of all time. I give you Mr Frederick Douglass, speaking in New York, 1857. Let me give you a word of the philosophy of reform. The whole history of the progress of human liberty shows that all concessions yet made to her august claims have been born of … Continue reading If there is no struggle, there is no progress
Robespierre’s Speech to the Convention, 18 Pluviose Year II / 5th February 1794
‘If the mainstream of popular government in peacetime is virtue, the mainspring of popular government in revolution is virtue and terror both: virtue, without which terror is disastrous: terror, without which virtue is powerless. Terror is nothing but prompt, severe, inflexible justice; it is therefore an emanation of virtue; it is not so much a … Continue reading Robespierre’s Speech to the Convention, 18 Pluviose Year II / 5th February 1794
The Historian's Apprentice 