I have observed that the prosperity or misery of each people is in direct proportion to its liberties or its prejudices and, accordingly, to the sacrifices or the selfishness of its forefathers. -Juan Crisostomo Ibarra

I have to believe much in God because I have lost my faith in man.

Countrymen: I have given proofs, as well as the best of you, of desiring liberty for our country, and I continue to desire it. But I place as a premise the education of the people,...

For myself I think that one wrong does not right the other, and forgiveness cannot be won with useless tears or alms to the Church.

One should remember that where nobody flees, there is no pursuer: that where there are no little fish, there can be no big ones. Why does the girl not require her lover a noble and...

Pure intuitive faith differs as much from fanaticism as fire from smoke, or music from mere noise; those who confuse the two are like the deaf.

I honor the father in his son, not the son in his father. Each one receives a reward or punishment for his deeds, but not for the acts of others.

I can concede that the government has no knowledge of the people, but I believe the people know less of the government. There are useless officials, evil, if you like, but there are also good...

Why independence, if the slaves of today will be the tyrants of tomorrow?

Your enemies hate you more than they hate your ideas. Should you want a project to be undone propose it. Even if it were as useful as a bishop’s mire it would be rejected. Once...

I die without seeing the dawn brighten over my native land. You who have it to see, welcome it … and forget not those who have fallen during the night!

….let her be loved not only for her beauty and amiable character, but also for her strength of mind and loftiness of purpose, which enliven and raise the feeble and the timid and ward off...

How long have you been away from the country?” Laruja asked Ibarra.”Almost seven years.””Then you have probably forgotten all about it.””Quite the contrary. Even if my country does seem to have forgotten me, I have...

Our liberty will not be secured at the sword’s point… We must secure it by making ourselves worthy of it. And when the people reaches that height, God will provide a weapon, the idols will...

Let us not ask for miracles, let us not ask for concern with what is good for the country of him who comes as a stranger to make his fortune and leave afterwards.

The example could encourage others who only fear to start.

He who does not know how to look back at where he came from will never get to his destination.

What said those two souls communicating through the language of the eyes, more perfect than that of the lips, the language given to the soul in order that sound may not mar the ecstasy of...