I experience for the American officers and soldiers that friendship which arises from having shared with them for a length of time dangers, sufferings, and both good and evil fortune.

Marquis de Lafayette

The continental troops have as much courage and real discipline as those that are opposed to them. They are more inured to privation, more patient than Europeans, who, on these two points, cannot be compared to them.

Marquis de Lafayette

Never was a man further from a partiality for Spain than I am. But I think I now have left them in a sincere and steady intention to cultivate the friendship of America.

Marquis de Lafayette

The exercise of natural rights has no limits but such as will ensure their enjoyment to other members of society.

Marquis de Lafayette

I shall ask for the abolition for the punishment of death until I have the infallibility of human judgment demonstrated to me.

Marquis de Lafayette

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 indispensible of duties.

Marquis de Lafayette

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

Marquis de Lafayette

It is the pride of my heart to have been one of the earliest adopted sons of America.

Marquis de Lafayette

The American women are very pretty and have great simplicity of character, and the extreme neatness of their appearance is truly delightful: cleanliness is everywhere even more studiously attended to here than in England.

Marquis de Lafayette

May the States be so bound to each other as forever to defy European politics. Upon that union, their consequence, their happiness, will depend. This is the first wish of a heart more truly American than words can express.

Marquis de Lafayette

During my last voyage to America, I enjoyed the happiness of seeing that revolution completed, and, thinking of the one that would probably occur in France, I said in a speech to Congress, published everywhere except in the 'French Gazette,' 'May this revolution serve as a lesson to oppressors and as an example to the oppressed!'

Marquis de Lafayette

I gave my heart to the Americans and thought of nothing else but raising my banner and adding my colors to theirs.

Marquis de Lafayette

Laws must be clear, precise, and uniform for all citizens.

Marquis de Lafayette

One time, I was given an essay topic: to describe a perfect horse, whom the mere sight of the rider's whip would make obedient. I depicted this perfect horse throwing his rider at the sight of the whip.

Marquis de Lafayette

My heart has always been truly convinced that in serving the cause of America, I am fighting for the interests of France.

Marquis de Lafayette

Protestants in France are under intolerable despotism. Although open persecution does not now exist, yet it depends upon the whim of the king, queen, parliament, or any of the ministry.

Marquis de Lafayette

Defender of the liberty that I idolize, myself more free than anyone, in coming as a friend to offer my services to this intriguing republic, I bring to it only my frankness and my good will; no ambition, no self-interest; in working for my glory, I work for their happiness.

Marquis de Lafayette

If the liberties of the American people are ever destroyed, they will fall by the hands of the clergy.

Marquis de Lafayette

The good fortune of America is closely tied to the good fortune of all humanity.

Marquis de Lafayette

All the evils of France have been produced less by the perversity of the wicked and the violence of fools than by the hesitation of the weak, the compromises of conscience, and the tardiness of patriotism. Let every deputy, every Frenchman show what he feels, what he thinks, and we are saved!

Marquis de Lafayette

Marquis de Lafayette Quotes

I experience for the American officers and soldiers that friendship which arises from having shared with them for a length of time dangers, sufferings, and both good and evil fortune.

The continental troops have as much courage and real discipline as those that are opposed to them. They are more inured to privation, more patient than Europeans, who, on these two points, cannot be compared to them.

Never was a man further from a partiality for Spain than I am. But I think I now have left them in a sincere and steady intention to cultivate the friendship of America.

The exercise of natural rights has no limits but such as will ensure their enjoyment to other members of society.

I shall ask for the abolition for the punishment of death until I have the infallibility of human judgment demonstrated to me.

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 indispensible of duties.

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

It is the pride of my heart to have been one of the earliest adopted sons of America.

The American women are very pretty and have great simplicity of character, and the extreme neatness of their appearance is truly delightful: cleanliness is everywhere even more studiously attended to here than in England.

May the States be so bound to each other as forever to defy European politics. Upon that union, their consequence, their happiness, will depend. This is the first wish of a heart more truly American than words can express.

I gave my heart to the Americans and thought of nothing else but raising my banner and adding my colors to theirs.

Laws must be clear, precise, and uniform for all citizens.

One time, I was given an essay topic: to describe a perfect horse, whom the mere sight of the rider's whip would make obedient. I depicted this perfect horse throwing his rider at the sight of the whip.

My heart has always been truly convinced that in serving the cause of America, I am fighting for the interests of France.

Protestants in France are under intolerable despotism. Although open persecution does not now exist, yet it depends upon the whim of the king, queen, parliament, or any of the ministry.

Defender of the liberty that I idolize, myself more free than anyone, in coming as a friend to offer my services to this intriguing republic, I bring to it only my frankness and my good will; no ambition, no self-interest; in working for my glory, I work for their happiness.

If the liberties of the American people are ever destroyed, they will fall by the hands of the clergy.

The good fortune of America is closely tied to the good fortune of all humanity.

All the evils of France have been produced less by the perversity of the wicked and the violence of fools than by the hesitation of the weak, the compromises of conscience, and the tardiness of patriotism. Let every deputy, every Frenchman show what he feels, what he thinks, and we are saved!