Pol Pot

Cambodian dictator, Khmer Rouge

Modern influential 163 sayings

Sayings by Pol Pot

We made mistakes. But we did not kill people on purpose.

1997 — Interview with Nate Thayer
Humorous Unverifiable

Our policy is to take the poor to the top and eliminate the rich.

1975 — Speech to cadres
Humorous Unverifiable

There are no innocent people in the cities.

1975 — Attributed, justifying the evacuation of cities
Humorous Unverifiable

The new people are rotten. The old people are good.

1975 — Attributed, referring to city dwellers vs. peasants
Humorous Unverifiable

We must completely smash the enemy.

1977 — Speech to cadres
Humorous Unverifiable

We are an independent, sovereign, peaceful, neutral, and non-aligned country.

1978 — Speech to the UN General Assembly (via proxy)
Humorous Unverifiable

We must completely cleanse our ranks.

1977 — Speech to cadres
Humorous Unverifiable

We are fighting against the Vietnamese aggressors.

1978 — Radio address
Humorous Unverifiable

We are writing a new page in Cambodian history.

1975 — Speech
Humorous Unverifiable

The people are the masters.

1975-1979 — Slogan of the Khmer Rouge regime
Humorous Unverifiable

We must smash all the enemies, internal and external.

1977 — Speech to cadres
Humorous Unverifiable

We are building socialism without a model.

1976 — Speech
Humorous Unverifiable

We rely on ourselves.

1975-1979 — Slogan of self-reliance for Democratic Kampuchea
Humorous Unverifiable

The Vietnamese are our traditional enemies.

1978 — Speech to cadres
Humorous Unverifiable

We must defend our independence and sovereignty.

1977 — Speech
Humorous Unverifiable

We are doing everything for the people.

1976 — Speech
Humorous Unverifiable

We have nothing to hide.

1997 — Interview with Nate Thayer
Humorous Unverifiable

The revolution is advancing.

1977 — Speech
Humorous Unverifiable

We will build a glorious future.

1975 — Speech
Humorous Unverifiable

We are fighting for genuine independence.

1970s — Speech
Humorous Unverifiable