Augusto Pinochet Quotes

I was only an aspiring dictator. I was never a real dictator.

I have lived with my conscience and my own memories for over quarter of a century since the events of 1973.… These are not easy reflections for me. But I am at peace with myself, and with the Chilean people, about what happened. I am clear in my mind that the return to Chile of true democracy, and from that the true freedom to which all individual people are entitled, could not have been achieved without the removal of the Marxist government.

I'm looking at them from above, because God put me there.

This is not a dictadura [dictatorship/hard rule] but a dictablanda [soft rule].

He could have a thousand faults, but I do not blame anyone in particular and I despise brutality with which the Nazis acted against Israelites; but the fault is not only of Hitler, but a group of high-ranked dignitaries.

The only solution to the issue of human rights is oblivion.

Rome cut off the heads of Christians and they continued to reappear one way or another. Something similar happens with Marxists.

The rich people are those who create wealth, and you have to treat them well so they continue to give wealth.

Remark to reporters (September 1991) when asked about the burial of 125 political opponents in 108 graves. Quoted in Chile Under Pinochet (2000) by Mark Ensalaco

My library is filled with UN condemnations.

Power must be vested in the armed forces, since only they have the organization and the means to fight Marxism.

I have a sour face. Maybe that's why they say I'm a dictator.

Today, near the end of my days, I want to say that I harbor no rancor against anybody, that I love my fatherland above all and that I take political responsibility for everything that was done which had no other goal than making Chile greater and avoiding its disintegration.… I assume full political responsibility for what happened.

If Senator Kennedy is elected President of the United States, the government of Chile will take the necessary measures.

Is it true what Contreras testified before the courts, that the president of the junta and later the president of the Republic was the direct head of DINA? I don't remember, but it is not true. It is not true and if it was, I don't remember. Contreras liked to cajole, wrap around his boss. Contreras gave the orders. It was he who managed the institution.