Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn was a Russian writer, philosopher, historian, and political prisoner of the USSR. Due to his criticism of the Communist regime in Russia, he was sent to the Gulags. There, he memorized what he wanted to say in his multi-volume work The Gulag Archipelago. His wisdom and endures today, which is why I want to share some of his thoughts. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn’s quotes are powerful warnings of what we may face if we embrace Communism and Marxism.
Some Quotes by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
Reflection on Solzhenitsyn’s Quotes
On the Battleline Between Good and Evil
Before we judge the shortcomings of others, it is necessary to look into our hearts and see what we find. Examining oneself is liberating, yet burdensome. It will show us things we would rather not know about ourselves, namely that we have a dark side. This evil within us is our capability to choose to defy our calling to move towards our Ideal Self. It is evidence that God is just, in that we have the ability to make choices, and that He allows them to play out within the order of the natural world. When evil is done it breeds evil.
However, there is hope. Good breeds good as well. When we choose what is good, we increase the abundance of good in our world. And, because God is just, He allows this good to reap good results in this life and the next. It is often said that bad things happen to good people, and that’s true. This neglects the possibility that if that person were bad, they could have had worse circumstances.
Regardless, if we expect to have a society that is full of good, we must look inside ourselves to find that line between good and evil to ensure that we are on the proper side: the side of good.
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn Quotes on Evil and Tyranny
Evil was everywhere in Communist Russia. And the government was an intolerable tyranny, which is why Solzhenitsyn was punished. Instead of cowering in fear, he decided to speak out against the evils of communism and warn the world about what it had to offer.
“The battleline between good and evil runs through the heart of every man.”
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
“A state of war only serves as an excuse for domestic tyranny.”
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn quotes on Lies
The USSR relied heavily on lies in order to enforce its ideas. So, it became a tyrannical regime, led by lies backed by violence.
“Any man who has once proclaimed violence as his method is inevitably forced to take the lie as his principle.”
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
“Violence can only be concealed by a lie, and the lie can only be maintained by violence.”
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
More Quotes
“Own only what you can always carry with you: know languages, know countries, know people. Let your memory be your travel bag.”
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
“You only have power over people so long as you don’t take everything away from them. But when you’ve robbed a man of everything, he’s no longer in your power – he’s free again.”
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
“The name of ‘reform’ simply covers what is latently a process of the theft of the national heritage.”
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
“Justice is conscience, not a personal conscience but the conscience of the whole of humanity. Those who clearly recognize the voice of their own conscience usually recognize also the voice of justice.”
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
Books by Solzhenitsyn
If you enjoy these quotes and this wisdom, I recommend you check out some of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn’s books as well. Here are a few I recommend looking into.
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich Buy it here>>
The Gulag Archipelago: The Authorized Abridgement Buy it here>>
The Gulag Archipelago – An Experiment In Literary Investigation – Nobel Prize Winning Complete Three Volume Trade Paperback Set by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn Buy it now>>
In the First Circle Buy it now>>
Warning to the West Buy it now >>
