One resists the invasion of armies; one does not resist the invasion of ideas.

[On résiste à l’invasion des armées; on ne résiste pas à l’invasion des idées.]

Victor Hugo (1802-1885) French writer

The History of a Crime [Histoire d’un Crime], ch. 10, Conclusion [tr. Joyce & Locker]

Alternate translations/paraphrases:

• One withstands the invasion of armies; one does not withstand the invasion of ideas.
• One can resist the invasion of armies; one cannot resist the invasion of ideas.
• One cannot resist an idea whose time has come.
• No one can resist an idea whose time has come.
• Nothing is stronger than an idea whose time has come.
• Armies cannot stop an idea whose time has come.
• No army can stop an idea whose time has come.
• Nothing is as powerful as an idea whose time has come.
• Nothing is so powerful as an idea whose time has come.
• There is one thing stronger than all the armies in the world, and that is an idea whose time has come.