Ataturk (Mustafa Kemal)

A man who doesn't think differently from his time and environment can't grow beyond his time and environment.

Approximate — Emphasizing independent thought and breaking from convention for progress.

Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

A man who doesn't think differently from his time and environment can't grow beyond his time and environment.

Approximate — Emphasizing independent thought and breaking from convention for progress.

Strange & Unusual Confirmed

I do not leave any verses, dogmas, nor any moulded standard principles as moral heritage. My moral heritage is science and reason.

Approx. late in his life — Defining his legacy as based solely on rationality and scientific principles.

Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I do not leave any verses, dogmas, nor any moulded standard principles as moral heritage. My moral heritage is science and reason.

Approx. late in his life — Defining his legacy as based solely on rationality and scientific principles.

Strange & Unusual Disputed

We did not win the war with prayers, but with the blood of our soldiers.

Post-War of Independence — Emphasizing the tangible reality of military effort over religious supplication.

Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

We did not win the war with prayers, but with the blood of our soldiers.

Post-War of Independence — Emphasizing the tangible reality of military effort over religious supplication.

Strange & Unusual Disputed

This nation has never lived without freedom, cannot and never will. We Turks are a people who, throughout our history, have been the very embodiment of freedom and independence.

Post-1923 — Asserting a core and enduring characteristic of the Turkish nation.

Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

This nation has never lived without freedom, cannot and never will. We Turks are a people who, throughout our history, have been the very embodiment of freedom and independence.

Post-1923 — Asserting a core and enduring characteristic of the Turkish nation.

Strange & Unusual Disputed

Do not be afraid of telling the truth.

Approximate — Encouragement for honesty and integrity.

Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Do not be afraid of telling the truth.

Approximate — Encouragement for honesty and integrity.

Strange & Unusual Confirmed

Armies, your first goal is the Mediterranean. Forward!

1921 — A direct military command, likely during the Greco-Turkish War.

Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Armies, your first goal is the Mediterranean. Forward!

1921 — A direct military command, likely during the Greco-Turkish War.

Strange & Unusual Confirmed

Sovereignty is not given, it is taken.

Post-1919 — Fundamental principle of national independence and self-determination.

Strange & Unusual Confirmed

Where there is no freedom, there is death and destruction.

Approximate — Emphasizing the vital importance of freedom.

Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Where there is no freedom, there is death and destruction.

Approximate — Emphasizing the vital importance of freedom.

Strange & Unusual Disputed

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.

Post-1923 — Vision for a modern, secular, and enlightened Turkish society.

Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

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.

Post-1923 — Vision for a modern, secular, and enlightened Turkish society.

Strange & Unusual Confirmed

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

Approx. later in his life — On the enduring nature of his ideas beyond his physical presence.

Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

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

Approx. later in his life — On the enduring nature of his ideas beyond his physical presence.

Strange & Unusual Confirmed

I have no religion, and at times I wish all religions at the bottom of the sea.

1926 — Private conversation with his close associate Kılıç Ali

Strange & Unusual Confirmed

Sayings by Ataturk (Mustafa Kemal)