Top 15 Mustafa Kemal Atatürk Quotes

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

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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.

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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

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For nearly five hundred years, these rules and theories of an Arab Shaikh and the interpretations of generations of lazy and good-for-nothing priests have decided the civil and criminal law of Turkey. They have decided the form of the Constitution, the details of the lives of each Turk, his food, his hours of rising and sleeping the shape of his clothes, the routine of the midwife who produced his children, what he learned in his schools, his customs, his thoughts-even his most intimate habits. Islam – this theology of an immoral Arab – is a dead thing. Possibly it might have suited tribes in the desert. It is no good for modern, progressive state. God’s revelation! There is no God! These are only the chains by which the priests and bad rulers bound the people down. A ruler who needs religion is a weakling. No weaklings should rule.

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. My people are going to learn the principles of democracy, the dictates of truth and the teachings of science. Superstition must go. Let them worship as they will; every man can follow his own conscience, provided it does not interfere with sane reason or bid him against the liberty of his fellow-men.

Now I have taken Hector's revenge!

Why after my years of education, after studying the secular civilization and the socialization process, should I decent to the level of common people, I will make them rise to my level, let me not resemble them, they should resemble me!

Armenians have no rights in this prosperous country. Your country is yours, it belongs to the Turks. This country was Turkish in history, therefore it is Turkish and will live as a Turk forever.

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.

As quoted in Atatürk by Prof. Dr. Utkan Kocatürk, Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı Yayınları, p. 207

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

Victory belongs to those who can say 'Victory is mine'. Success belongs to those who can begin saying 'I will succeed' and say 'I have succeed' in the end.

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

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

As quoted in Atatürkçülük, Volume I, General Staff of the Republic of Turkey, Millî Eğitim Basımevi, 1984, p. 283

Science is the most real guide for civilisation, for life, for success in the world. To search for a guide other than science is absurdity, ignorance and heresy.

Sovereignty and kingship are never decided by academic debate. They are seized by force. The Ottoman dynasty appropriated by force the government of the Turks, and reigned over them for six centuries. Now the Turkish nation has effectively gained possession of its sovereignty… This is an accomplished fact… If those assembled here … see the matter in its natural light, we shall all agree. Otherwise, facts will still prevail, but some heads may roll.

The torch that the Turkish nation holds in her hand and in her mind, while marching on the road of progress and civilisation, is positive sciences.