Ataturk (Mustafa Kemal)
Founder of modern Turkey
Sayings by Ataturk (Mustafa Kemal)
The Republic of Turkey cannot be a country of sheikhs, dervishes, and disciples. The truest, most real order is the order of civilisation.
[Turkish women] had lived free of the veil for 5,000 years, and had been covered only in the last 600 years.
[Turkish women] had lived free of the veil for 5,000 years, and had been covered only in the last 600 years.
A nation devoid of art and artists cannot have a full existence. Such a nation would be crippled, one-armed, disabled diseased.
A nation devoid of art and artists cannot have a full existence. Such a nation would be crippled, one-armed, disabled diseased.
Life does not need music. Because life is music. Beings that have no connection with music are not human beings.
Life does not need music. Because life is music. Beings that have no connection with music are not human beings.
Hands of an artist are to be kissed; those who are artists shall not kiss hands!
Hands of an artist are to be kissed; those who are artists shall not kiss hands!
In human life, you will find players of religion until the knowledge and proficiency in religion will be cleansed from all superstitions, and will be purified and perfected by the enlightenment of real science.
In human life, you will find players of religion until the knowledge and proficiency in religion will be cleansed from all superstitions, and will be purified and perfected by the enlightenment of real science.
I am mortal. I want the nation to get used to freedom before I die.
I am mortal. I want the nation to get used to freedom before I die.
Ignorance is the greatest enemy to be defeated.
Ignorance is the greatest enemy to be defeated.
The welfare of the entire human race must replace hunger and oppression. People of the world must be taught to give up envy, avarice and rancour.
The welfare of the entire human race must replace hunger and oppression. People of the world must be taught to give up envy, avarice and rancour.
Even before accepting the religion of the Arabs, the Turks were a great nation. After accepting the religion of the Arabs, this religion, didn't effect to combine the Arabs, the Persians and Egyptians with the Turks to constitute a nation. (This religion) rather, loosened the national nexus of Turkish nation, got national excitement numb. This was very natural. Because the purpose of the religion founded by Muhammad, over all nations, was to drag to an including Arab national politics.
Even before accepting the religion of the Arabs, the Turks were a great nation. After accepting the religion of the Arabs, this religion, didn't effect to combine the Arabs, the Persians and Egyptians with the Turks to constitute a nation. (This religion) rather, loosened the national nexus of Turkish nation, got national excitement numb. This was very natural. Because the purpose of the religion founded by Muhammad, over all nations, was to drag to an including Arab national politics.
Religion is an important institution. A nation without religion cannot survive. Yet it is also very important to note that religion is a link between Allah and the individual believer. The brokerage of the pious cannot be permitted.