"The transition from capitalism to communism will certainly create a great variety of political forms, but their essence will inevitably be the same: the dictatorship of the proletariat."

"Hang no fewer than one hundred well-known kulaks, rich men, bloodsuckers, and make sure that the hanging takes place in full view of the people."

"History knows all sorts of metamorphoses. Relying on the reliability of one's convictions, on the honesty of one's intentions, on the sincerity of one's declarations — this is not a serious attitude t…"

"Why should freedom of speech and freedom of press be allowed? Why should a government which is doing what it believes to be right allow itself to be criticized? It would not allow opposition by lethal…"

"Of all the arts, for us the cinema is the most important."