35 Best Joseph Stalin Quotes on War, Power, & Politics

Check out the best Joseph Stalin quotes that reflect his views on politics, war, communism, and the use of power.

Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin was a Soviet politician and revolutionary leader who ruled the Soviet Union from 1924 until he died in 1953.

Born in Georgia in 1878, Stalin rose to power after the death of Vladimir Lenin and became one of the most powerful figures of the 20th century.

As General Secretary of the Communist Party, he transformed the Soviet Union into a global superpower through rapid industrialization, ruthless political control, and wartime leadership.

Stalin consolidated power and reshaped Marxist ideology into what became known as Stalinism, a system defined by totalitarian authority.

His rule, marked by sweeping reforms, brutal purges, and widespread fear, left a legacy that still sparks debate across generations.

Stalin’s leadership and military strategy during World War II played a pivotal role in defeating Nazi Germany, especially through decisive battles like Stalingrad and the Eastern Front offensives.

Joseph Stalin’s legacy is controversial, as he is hailed by some as a nation-builder and condemned by others as a ruthless dictator responsible for millions of deaths.

Here are the most famous Joseph Stalin quotes that reveal the mindset of one of history’s most influential and controversial leaders.

Top 10 Joseph Stalin Quotes

1. “Quantity has a quality all its own.” — Joseph Stalin

   

2. “Gratitude is a sickness suffered by dogs.” — Joseph Stalin

   

3. “You cannot make a revolution with silk gloves.” — Joseph Stalin

   

4. “History has shown there are no invincible armies.” – Joseph Stalin

   

5. “I believe in one thing only, the power of human will.” — Joseph Stalin

   

6. “A single death is a tragedy; a million deaths is a statistic.” — Joseph Stalin

   

7. “Death is the solution to all problems. No man – no problem.” — Joseph Stalin

   

8. “The people who cast the votes don’t decide an election, the people who count the votes do.” — Joseph Stalin

   

9. “Education is a weapon whose effects depend on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed.” — Joseph Stalin

   

10. “Ideas are more powerful than guns. We would not let our enemies have guns, why should we let them have ideas.” — Joseph Stalin

Best Joseph Stalin Quotes On Death, War, & Communism

1. “I trust no one, not even myself.” — Joseph Stalin
2. “The only real power comes out of a long rifle.” — Joseph Stalin
3. “A sincere diplomat is like dry water or wooden iron.” — Joseph Stalin
4. “It takes a brave man to be a coward in the Red Army.” — Joseph Stalin
5. “Print is the sharpest and the strongest weapon of our party.” — Joseph Stalin
6. “When we hang the capitalists they will sell us the rope we use.” — Joseph Stalin
7. “Everyone imposes his own system as far as his army can reach.” — Joseph Stalin
8. “It is not heroes that make history, but history that makes heroes.” — Joseph Stalin
9. “In the Soviet army it takes more courage to retreat than advance.” — Joseph Stalin
10. “The production of souls is more important than the production of tanks….” — Joseph Stalin
11. “If the opposition disarms, well and good. If it refuses to disarm, we shall disarm it ourselves.” — Joseph Stalin
12. “Nobody respects a country with a poor army, but everybody respects a country with a good army.” – Joseph Stalin
13. “Great Britain provided time; the United States provided money, and Soviet Russia provided blood.” – Joseph Stalin
14. “This creature softened my heart of stone. She died and with her died my last warm feelings for humanity.” — Joseph Stalin
15. “It is enough that the people know there was an election. The people who cast the votes decide nothing. The people who count the votes decide everything.” — Joseph Stalin

Famous Quotes From Joseph Stalin

1. “Ours is a just cause; victory will be ours!” — Joseph Stalin
2. “The Pope? How many divisions has he got?” — Joseph Stalin
3. “A man’s eyes should be torn out if he can only see the past.” – Joseph Stalin
4. “It doesn’t matter who they vote for, they always vote for us.” — Joseph Stalin
5. “Everybody has a right to be stupid, but some people abuse the privilege.” — Joseph Stalin
6. “The problem with quotes on the internet is you never know if they are genuine.” — Joseph Stalin
7. “When there’s a person, there’s a problem. When there’s no person, there’s no problem.” — Joseph Stalin
8. “The press must grow day in and day out – it is our Party’s sharpest and most powerful weapon.” — Joseph Stalin
9. “America is like a healthy body and its resistance is threefold: its patriotism, its morality and its spiritual life. If we can undermine these three areas, America will collapse from within.” — Joseph Stalin
10. “Mankind is divided into rich and poor, into property owners and exploited; and to abstract oneself from this fundamental division; and from the antagonism between poor and rich means abstracting oneself from fundamental facts.” — Joseph Stalin

Conclusion

Which of these Joseph Stalin quotes and sayings inspired you the most? If we missed one of your favorites, share it with us in the comments below!

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