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Muammar Gaddafi

80 quotes

“The science you enjoy now is the science we taught you. The medicine you treat yourselves with is the medicine we gave you. It’s the same with the astronomy you know, the mathematics, the literature, the art...”
Muammar Gaddafi (1942–2011) first seen 1979 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview with Oriana Fallaci (2 December 1979), Corriere della Sera
“I think these Western phenomena derive from capitalist society. They’re movements denoting rejection of a society that has to be torn down. Whether they are called the Red Brigades or the hippies or the Beatles or the Children of God. And even though I’m against kidnappings and hijackings, I don’t want to interfere with what they’re doing.”
Muammar Gaddafi (1942–2011) first seen 1979 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview with Oriana Fallaci (2 December 1979), Corriere della Sera
“We are not responsible for what might be done with the weapons we give to the Palestinians. We give them to the Palestinians because we believe in their cause and we believe we have a duty to help them. What happens afterwards is none of my business. If I am to be found guilty by proxy, I prefer charges that are direct. But there is no proof.”
Muammar Gaddafi (1942–2011) first seen 1979 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview with Oriana Fallaci (2 December 1979), Corriere della Sera
“Revolution is when the masses make the revolution. A people’s revolution. But even when the revolution is made by others in the name of the masses, expressing what the masses want, it can be revolution. A people’s revolution because it has the support of the masses and interprets the will of the masses.”
Muammar Gaddafi (1942–2011) first seen 1979 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview with Oriana Fallaci (2 December 1979), Corriere della Sera
“I staged a coup d’état and the workers staged the revolution, occupying the factories, becoming partners instead of employees, eliminating the monarchic administration and setting up people’s committees. In short, they liberated themselves. Students did the same. Today in Libya, only the people count.”
Muammar Gaddafi (1942–2011) first seen 1979 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview with Oriana Fallaci (2 December 1979), Corriere della Sera
“Hitler and Mussolini exploited the support of the masses to rule the people. We revolutionaries enjoy the support of the masses to help the people become capable of ruling themselves on their own. I myself am constantly appealing to the masses to govern on their own. I say to my people: ‘If you love me, listen to me. And govern yourselves on your own’. That’s why they love me because, unlike Hitler, who said ‘I’ll do it all for you’, I say ‘Do it on your own.”
Muammar Gaddafi (1942–2011) first seen 1979 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview with Oriana Fallaci (2 December 1979), Corriere della Sera
“When everyone is part of the people’s congress, what need is there for an opposition? Opposition to what? You oppose a government! If there is no government, and the people govern themselves on their own, what are they going to oppose? Something that isn’t there?”
Muammar Gaddafi (1942–2011) first seen 1979 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview with Oriana Fallaci (2 December 1979), Corriere della Sera
“We believe America is practicing all kinds of terrorism against Libya. Even the accusation that we are involved in terrorism is in itself an act of terrorism.”
Muammar Gaddafi (1942–2011) first seen 1981 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Time (8 June 1981) "An Interview with Gaddafi
“I have nothing but scorn for the notion of an Islamic bomb. There is no such thing as an Islamic bomb or a Christian bomb. Any such weapon is a means of terrorizing humanity, and we are against the manufacture and acquisition of nuclear weapons. This is in line with our definition of—and opposition to—terrorism.”
Muammar Gaddafi (1942–2011) first seen 1981 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Time (8 June 1981) "An Interview with Gaddafi
“Africa is closer to me in every way than Iraq or Syria.”
Muammar Gaddafi (1942–2011) first seen 2001 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview (2001), quoted in BBC News (6 February 2001) "Analysis: Gaddafi's revolution" by Gerald Butt
“Libya is an African country. May Allah help the Arabs and keep them away from us. We don't want anything to do with them. They did not fight with us against the Italians, and they did not fight with us against the Americans. They did not lift the sanctions and siege from us. On the contrary, they gloated at us, and benefited from our hardship….”
Muammar Gaddafi (1942–2011) first seen 2007 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview with Al Jazeera (27 March 2007)
“I won't be a party to a conspiracy to mobilize the Arabs against the Persians. Only the forces of colonialism benefit from such a conspiracy. I won't be a party to a conspiracy that splits Islam into two - Shiite Islam and Sunni Islam – mobilizing Sunni Islam against Shiite Islam.”
Muammar Gaddafi (1942–2011) first seen 2007 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview with Al Jazeera (27 March 2007)
“I am defending the Jews to prevent them from becoming extinct, because they are doomed to become extinct if they continue this way.… I am convinced that the solution is to establish a democratic state for the Jews and the Palestinians, a state that will be called Palestine, Isratine, or whatever they want. This is the fundamental solution, or else the Jews will be annihilated in the future, because the Palestinians have [strategic] depth.”
Muammar Gaddafi (1942–2011) first seen 2007 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview with Al Jazeera (27 March 2007)
“I am not the leader of Libya, I am the leader of the Revolution, the revolution is part of the past and took place in 1969, Consequently. There's no need to talk about one will replace me. I do not have any power to delegate to my successor. The power lies with the people.”
Muammar Gaddafi (1942–2011) first seen 2009 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Talk to Al-Jazeera (September 2009) Al-Jazeera
“Interviewer: When I was in Tripoli, a slogan caught me, "Wherever you go, Happiness rains..." Do you think 40 years after the revolution, Libyan people are happy? Gaddafi: First of all, I have not seen those slogans and I am not responsible for them. Unlike you, I cannot freely taking time to read slogans if I am in the street, it's in the middle of convoy, so I have no knowledge of these slogans. But if that's the case the people who thought up that slogans acted with good intentions, they think well of this government and that glads me. I've done my best to make my people happy and free.”
Muammar Gaddafi (1942–2011) first seen 2009 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview with Euronews (2009) Euronews
“I think it is peaceful and civil ... civilian activity for investigation of space, or something like this.”
Muammar Gaddafi (1942–2011) said by 2011 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Interviewer: How about al Qaeda? Gaddafi: Where is al Qaeda? Al Qaeda's in Europe. Al Qaeda is here in New York.”
Muammar Gaddafi (1942–2011) first seen 2009 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview with CNN (2009)
“America interferes in the internal affairs, uses threats of military force, interferes in elections and the type of government. In Africa, America preaches what it does not practice in its own affairs inside the US.”
Muammar Gaddafi (1942–2011) first seen 2009 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Address of Brother Leader to the Students and Faculty of Meiji University, Japan (15 December 2009)
“I want provocation. People should take to the streets. Smash those dogs, and tell them: "you traitors will bring us the British.”
Muammar Gaddafi (1942–2011) first seen 2011 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Statement (8 March 2011), as quoted in "Libya on the Line: An interactive timeline Browse through a collection of conversations between Gaddafi, Saif al-Islam and other senior Libyan officials" at Aljazeera (11 May 2012)
“What's wrong with the Spanish? Tell them they do not appreciate their own interests. Tell them we will recognize the Basques. Threaten them with this, and recognize Andalusia.”
Muammar Gaddafi (1942–2011) first seen 2011 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Statement (5 April 2011), as quoted in "Libya on the Line: An interactive timeline Browse through a collection of conversations between Gaddafi, Saif al-Islam and other senior Libyan officials" at Aljazeera (11 May 2012)
“Oil is like drugs. Find the commodity smugglers. Many are adventurous; they will buy from you at a discount and they don't care about embargoes.”
Muammar Gaddafi (1942–2011) first seen 2011 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Statement (11 April 2011) as quoted in "Gaddafi clung to a fading reality" at Aljazeera (21 May 2012)
“Your armed forces have toppled the reactionary, backward and corrupt regime. With one strike your heroic army has toppled idols and destroyed them in one of Providence's fateful moments. As of now Libya shall be free and sovereign, a republic under the name of the Libyan Arab Republic. No oppressed or deceived or wronged, no master and no slave; but free brothers in a society over which, God willing, shall flutter the banner of brotherhood and equality. And thus shall we build glory, revive heritage and avenge a wounded dignity. Sons of the Bedouins, sons of the desert, sons of the ancient cities, sons of the countryside, sons of the villages, the hour of work has struck and so let us forge ahead.”
Muammar Gaddafi (1942–2011) first seen 1969 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Radio broadcast from Benghazi (1 September 1969), quoted in The Libyan Revolution: Its Origins and Legacy (2009) by Nicholas Hagger
“La donna deve essere addestrata a combattere dentro le case, a preparare una cintura esplosiva e a farsi saltare in aria insieme coi soldati nemici. Chiunque abbia una macchina deve prepararla e sapere come si fa a sistemare l'esplosivo e a trasformarla in un'autobomba. Dobbiamo addestrare le donne a disporre esplosivi nelle macchine e a farle scoppiare in mezzo ai nemici, a far esplodere le case per farle crollare sui soldati nemici. Bisogna preparare trappole. Avete visto come il nemico controlla i bagagli: bisogna manipolare queste valige per farle esplodere quando loro le aprono. Si deve insegnare alle donne a minare gli armadi, le borse, le scarpe, i giocattoli dei bambini, in modo che scoppino sui soldati nemici.”
Muammar Gaddafi (1942–2011) said by 2011 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Also quoted by: Muʿammar Gheddafi (it)
“Women must be trained to fight in houses, prepare explosive belts and blow themselves up alongside enemy soldiers. Anyone with a car must prepare it and know how to install explosives and turn it into a car-bomb. We must train women to place explosives in cars and blow them up in the midst of enemies, and blow up houses so that they can collapse on enemy soldiers. Traps must be prepared. You have seen how the enemy checks baggage: we must fix these suitcases in order for them to explode when they open them. Women must be taught to place mines in cupboards, bags, shoes, children's toys so that they explode on enemy soldiers.”
Muammar Gaddafi (1942–2011) first seen 2003 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech to the women of Sabha, October 4 2003; cited in ilfoglio.it
“Today there is a divide that we must acknowledge, and we must know who is deepening it. Perhaps it is colonialism—the enemy of Islam, the enemy of the Arabs, the enemy of the Persians—that is deepening it.… They have divided Islam into two Islams, and there came to be Shi'ite Islam and Sunni Islam. This is a bid'a [heresy]… When did Muhammad say: "I have brought you Shi'ite Islam and Sunni Islam?"… they have now begun to group the Arabs against Iran and Iran against the Arabs, and then Shi'ites against Sunnis and Sunnis against Shi'ites.… Are we Muslims, or are we Shi'ites and Sunnis?! For whose benefit is this? It is for the benefit of the "other" that we are speaking about, for the benefit of the enemy, for the benefit of colonialism.”
Muammar Gaddafi (1942–2011) first seen 1535 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speeches (March 2007) quoted in MEMRI Special Dispatch Series No. 1535 (6 April 2007) "In Overture to Iran, Qaddafi Declares North Africa Shi'ite and Calls for Establishment of New Fatimid State
“The era of the masses, which follows the age of the republics, excites the feelings and dazzles the eyes. But even though the vision of this era denotes genuine freedom of the masses and their happy emancipation from the bonds of external authoritarian structures, it warns also of the dangers of a period of chaos and demagoguery, and the threat of a return to the authority of the individual, the sect and party, instead of the authority of the people. Theoretically, this is genuine democracy but, realistically, the strong always rules. That is, the stronger party in the society is the one that rules.”
Muammar Gaddafi (1942–2011) first seen 1975 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Green Book (1975)
“Any class which becomes heir to a society, inherits, at the same time, its characteristics. That is to say that if the working class crushes all other classes, for instance, it becomes heir of the society, that is, it becomes the material and social base of the society. The heir bears the traits of the one he inherits from, though they may not be evident at once. As time passes, attributes of other eliminated classes emerge in the very ranks of the working class. And the possessors of those characteristics take the attitudes and points of view appropriate to their characteristics. Thus the working class turns out to be a separate society, showing the same contradictions as the old society.”
Muammar Gaddafi (1942–2011) first seen 1975 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Green Book (1975)
“We have been hurt more morally that physically because of what had happened against us in both deeds and words by you. Despite all this you will always remain our son whatever happened. We still pray that you continue to be president of the U.S.A. We Endeavour and hope that you will gain victory in the new election campaigne. You are a man who has enough courage to annul a wrong and mistaken action. I am sure that you are able to shoulder the responsibility for that. Enough evidence is available, Bearing in mind that you are the president of the strongest power in the world nowadays, and since Nato is waging an unjust war against a small people of a developing country. This country had already been subjected to embargo and sanctions, furthermore it also suffered a direct military armed aggression during Reagan’s time. This country is Libya. Hence, to serving world peace … Friendship between our peoples … and for the sake of economic, and security cooperation against terror, you are in a position to keep Nato off the Libyan affair for good.”
Muammar Gaddafi (1942–2011) said by 2011 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Did Libya invade Italy or was it Italy that invaded Libya? You attack us now as you did then. In other ways, with other systems, by supporting Israel, opposing Arab unity and our revolutions, frowning on Islam and calling us fanatics. We’ve been too patient with you. We’ve put up with your provocation for too long. If we hadn’t been so wise, we would have gone to war with you a thousand times. We didn’t because we think the use of force is a last resort for survival and because we have always been on the side of civilisation. After all, during the Middle Ages we civilised you. You were poor barbarians, primitive, savage creatures.”
Muammar Gaddafi (1942–2011) first seen 1979 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview with Oriana Fallaci (2 December 1979), Corriere della Sera
“Interviewer:In an interview with ABC six years ago, you said the United States has made Osama bin Laden a prophet and a saint in the Islamic world. Is he still held that way, do you think? Gaddafi: We should not have given him this value or this status. Who is he, bin Laden? Interviewer: He committed a heinous act. Gaddafi: Bin Laden made this heinous act. Interviewer:You don't think what Osama bin Laden did was wrong? Gaddafi:Was he on board one of the aircraft that hit the tower? Interviewer:No, but he took credit for sending them. Gaddafi:This is another thing. I don't think that in front of us we have a court sentence vis-a-vis bin Laden or this or that.”
Muammar Gaddafi (1942–2011) first seen 2009 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview with CNN (2009)