Mustafa Kemal Atatürk Quotes

founding father of the Republic of Turkey (c. 1881–1938)

Kemal Atatürk (Mustafa Kemal Pasha until 1934, Kamâl Atatürk from 1935 to 1937, commonly referred to as Mustafa Kemal Atatürk; 1881 – 10 November 1938) was a Turkish field marshal and revolutionary statesman who was the founder and first President of the Republic of Turkey. His benevolent dictatorship undertook sweeping progressive reforms, which modernized Turkey into a secular, industrializing nation. Ideologically a secularist and nationalist, his policies and theories became known as Kemalism. Due to his military and political accomplishments, Atatürk is regarded according to studies as one of the greatest leaders of the 20th century.

From: Wikiquote (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Also Known As: Father of the Turks

Alternative Names: Mustapha Kemal Pasha • Mustafa Kemal Paşa • Mustafa Kemal Pascha • Mustafa Kemal • Mustafa Pascha Kemal • Kemal Pasha • Mustafa Kemal Pasha • Atatürk • Gazi Mustafa Kemal Pasha • Kamâl Atatürk • Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk • Mustafa Kemal Ataturk • Kemal Ataturk • Mustapha Kemal Ataturk • Ghazi Mustapha Kemal • Ghazi Mustapha Kemal Pasha • Ghazi Mustapha Kemal Ataturk • Mustafa Kamal Attaturk • Mustafa Kamal Ataturk • Kemal Atatürk • Kamal Ataturk • Attaturk • Ataturk • Mustafa K. Atatürk • K. Atatürk • M. Kemal Atatürk • M. Kemal Ataturk • Ghazi Moustapha Kemal Pasha • Gazi Mustafa Kemal • Ali Rıza oğlu Mustafa • MKA

From Wikidata (CC0)

Showing quotes in randomized order to avoid selection bias. Click Popular for most popular quotes.

To see me does not necessarily mean to see my face. To understand my thoughts, my feelings is to have seen me.

Our life here is truly hellish. Fortunately, my soldiers are very brave and tougher than the enemy.

The nation has placed its faith in the precept that all laws should be inspired by actual needs here on earth as a basic fact of national life.

The Republic of Turkey cannot be a country of sheikhs, dervishes, and disciples. The truest, most real order is the order of civilisation.

...O Turkish child of future generations! As you see, even under these circumstances and conditions, it is your duty to save the Turkish Independence and the Republic! The strength that you will need is present in the noble blood which flows in your veins!

As quoted in Atatürk'ün Söylev ve Demeçleri, Volume II, p. 215

Unless a nation's life faces peril, war is murder.

I once went through books and wanted to understand what philosophers said about life. Some of them saw everything as dark. "Since we are nothing and we will reach zero, there is no room for joy and happiness during our temporary life on earth," they said. I read other books, written by wiser men. They were saying: "Since the end is zero anyway, let us at least be joyful and cheerful as long as we live." For my own character I like the second view of life, but within these limits: A man who sees the existence of all mankind in his own person is pathetic. Obviously that man will perish as an individual. What is necessary for any man to be satisfied and happy as long as he lives is not to work for himself, but for those who will come after him. Only in this way can a man of understanding act. Complete pleasure and happiness in life can only be found in working for the honor, existence and happiness of future generations.

There is no line of defense, but field of defense. This field is the whole motherland!

Our principles must never be equated with the dogmas of books supposed to have come down from heaven. We derive our inspiration, not from heaven, or from an unseen world, but directly from life. Our path is guided by the homeland we live in, the Turkish nation of which we are members, and the conclusions we have drawn from the history of nations, which records a thousand and one disasters and sufferings.

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk Quotes

Limited Time Offer