Portrait of Pol Pot

Pol Pot

Cambodian dictator, Khmer Rouge

Modern influential 163 sayings

Sayings by Pol Pot

The Angkar will lead us to victory.

1975-1979 — Slogan used by the Khmer Rouge
General Unverifiable

Only through hard labor can we build a strong Cambodia.

1975 — Speech
General Unverifiable

The old society was corrupt and decadent.

1975 — Speech
General Unverifiable

We must be vigilant against all enemies, internal and external.

1977 — Speech
General Unverifiable

The Angkar is always right.

1975-1979 — Slogan used by the Khmer Rouge
General Unverifiable

We will achieve self-sufficiency.

1975 — Speech
General Unverifiable

The revolution will not be betrayed.

1975-1979 — Reported saying
General Unverifiable

We must eliminate all foreign influences.

1975 — Speech
General Unverifiable

The people are the masters of their own destiny.

1975 — Speech
General Unverifiable

We will build a society based on equality.

1975 — Speech
Social & Racial Unverifiable

If we keep a few million people, it is enough for us to build socialism.

1977 — Meeting with cadres
General Unverifiable

The educated are like mushrooms—they grow in the dark.

1976 — Speech to party members
General Unverifiable

We must smash all enemies, even those inside our own ranks.

1978 — Internal party directive
General Unverifiable

There is no such thing as an innocent person.

1977 — Statement justifying purges
General Unverifiable

What is important is to eliminate the enemy.

1997 — Interview with Nate Thayer
General Unverifiable

I am not a killer. I am a patriot.

1997 — Interview with Nate Thayer
Self-Deprecating Unverifiable

We didn't want to kill people. We wanted to rebuild the country.

1997 — Interview with Nate Thayer
General Unverifiable

The only way to solve problems is to eliminate those who create them.

1970s — Attributed, often cited as reflecting Khmer Rouge ideology
Food & Drink Unverifiable

We are masters of the country, we are the masters of the water and the land.

1976 — Speech to cadres
General Unverifiable

We must purify the party, the army and the people.

1977 — Speech to cadres
General Unverifiable
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