Would not obeying to my mother's warnings, who is at least 25 years older than me, be returning to the past? And rebelling against her would mean ruining my mother's, who, I am convinced that, is a virtuous high woman, heart and evaluations. I do not find this right, either.
Every nation has the right to demand proper treatment and no country should violate the territory of any other country.
Everything we see in the world is the creative work of women.
I have a reputation for drinking a lot. Indeed, I drink quite much. However, I give it up when I wish to do so. I never, ever drink while on duty. The drinking is only for my pleasure. I do not remember neglecting my duties because of drinking even once.
Authority, without any condition and reservation, belongs to the nation.
I have no religion, and at times I wish all religions at the bottom of the sea. He is a weak ruler who needs religion to uphold his government; it is as if he would catch his people in a trap.
A nation which makes the final sacrifice for life and freedom does not get beaten.
I am my own policeman.
I was born as a soldier and will die as one.
Do you want to be a man of today or a man of tomorrow?
I have established the republic. But today it is not clear whether the form of government is a republic, a dictatorship, or personal rule.
God is my witness that up to now, my only aspiration in life is to be a useful element within the army! I have for long been convinced that, to safeguard the country and give happiness to the people, it is necessary first of all to prove once more to the world that our army is still the old Turkish army.
I do not want history to record me as someone who has bequeathed to his nation the institution of despotism.
To see me does not necessarily mean to see my face. To understand my thoughts is to have seen me.
I always give much attention to military character and to psychological and morale conditions.
Where there is no freedom, there is death and destruction.
A nation devoid of art and artists cannot have a full existence.
I am mortal. I want the nation to get used to freedom before I die.
We do not consider our principles as dogmas contained in books said to come from heaven. We derive our inspiration, not from heaven, or the unseen world, but directly from life.
I am pleased, with a feeling of good fortune, to be from Selanik. If you want to know the truth better, I feel that my chest is overflowing with a feeling of pride.
I will lead my people by the hand along the road until their feet are sure and they know the way. Then they may choose for themselves and rule themselves. Then my work will be done.
Unless a nation's life faces peril, war is murder.
Freedom and independence form my character.
Greatness consists in deciding only what is necessary for the welfare of the country and making straight for the goal.
Victory is for those who can say 'Victory is mine'. Success is for those who can begin saying 'I will succeed' and say 'I have succeeded' in the end.
I have a characteristic since my childhood. I don't like living together with my mother, sister, or friends at my home. I have always preferred to be alone and independent and lived according to that.
There are two Mustafa Kemals: one is I, the flesh and bone Mustafa Kemal... the scond Mustafa Kemal I cannot describe with the word 'I.' That Mustafa Kemal is not I - it is 'We.' That Mustafa Kemal is the enlightened and warrior collectivity that is striving for the new thought, the new life, and the Great Ideal on every corner of this country.
The necessary thing for anyone to be happy and contented as long as he lives is working for the ones who will come after him rather than working for himself... One can reach the true delight and happiness in the life only by working for the existence, honor, and happiness of the future generations.
The happiest ones are those who have a character which would prefer their services to be unknown to all generations.
The evils which sapped the nation's strength had all been wrought in the name of religion.
Teachers are the one and only people who save nations.
Sovereignty is not given, it is taken.
Science is the most reliable guide for civilization, for life, for success in the world. Searching a guide other than the science is meaning carelessness, ignorance and heresy.
Peace at home is peace in the country. Peace in the country is peace in the world.
Ours is a fully democratic government, which in our language we call a people's government.
Our aim is not to die. It is to carry out the revolution, to make a reality of our ideas. We must live, to get them accepted by the people.
No country is free unless it is democratic.
My people are going to learn the principles of democracy, the dictates of truth and the teachings of science. Superstition must go.
Justice is the infrastructure of proprietorship.
In order to stave off covetouness, greed, and spite, citizens world over must be educated.
