WIST Quotations

Bierce, Ambrose -- “Ballot,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1881-04-23)

Dave — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 19:35:56 +0000

BALLOT, n. A simple device by which a majority proves to a minority the folly of resistance. Many worthy persons of imperfect thinking apparatus believe that majorities govern through some inherent right; and minorities submit, not because they must, but because they ought.

Ambrose Bierce (1842–1914?) American writer and journalist
“Ballot,” “Devil’s Dictionary” column, San Francisco Wasp (1881-04-23)

Not collected in later books.

Lincoln, Abraham -- Speech (1856-05-29), Republican State Convention of Illinois, Bloomington [ed. Whitney]

Dave — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 22:29:58 +0000

I will not say that we may not sooner or later be compelled to meet force by force; but the time has not yet come, and, if we are true to ourselves, may never come. Do not mistake that the ballot is stronger than the bullet. Therefore let the legions of slavery use bullets; but let us wait patiently till November and fire ballots at them in return; and by that peaceful policy I believe we shall ultimately win.

Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865) American lawyer, politician, US President (1861–65)
Speech (1856-05-29), Republican State Convention of Illinois, Bloomington [ed. Whitney]

The speech is based on contemporaneous notes by William C. Whitney, who was present at the speech. The speech was reconstructed from the notes in 1896; Whitney said that it was not literal, but followed Lincoln's arguments and used many of his sentences.

Usually given in a shorter form: "The ballot is stronger than the bullet."

Lincoln used the juxtaposition of ballots and bullets a number of times (e.g., 1858, 1863). This is the earliest of the instances I can find.

Roosevelt, Franklin Delano -- Speech (1938-07-08), Northwest Territory Sesquicentennial, Muskingum Park, Marietta, Ohio

Dave — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 14:53:33 +0000

Let us not be afraid to help each other — let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us. The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a President and Senators and Congressmen and Government officials but the voters of this country.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882–1945) American lawyer, politician, statesman; US President (1933–45)
Speech (1938-07-08), Northwest Territory Sesquicentennial, Muskingum Park, Marietta, Ohio

Lincoln, Abraham -- Letter (1863-08-26) to James C. Conkling

Dave — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 15:05:00 +0000

Peace does not appear so distant as it did. I hope it will come soon, and come to stay; and so come as to be worth the keeping in all future time. It will then have been proved that, among free men, there can be no successful appeal from the ballot to the bullet; and that they who take such appeal are sure to lose their case, and pay the cost.

Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865) American lawyer, politician, US President (1861–65)
Letter (1863-08-26) to James C. Conkling

Sent as a letter to Conkling to read to a rally of Union supporters in Springfield, Illionis (1863-09-03).

Lincoln used the juxtaposition of ballots and bullets a number of times (e.g., 1856, 1858).

Lincoln, Abraham -- Speech (1858-05-18), fragment

Dave — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:39:44 +0000

To give the victory to the right, not bloody bullets, but peaceful ballots only, are necessary.

Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865) American lawyer, politician, US President (1861–65)
Speech (1858-05-18), fragment

The date is an estimate.

Lincoln used the juxtaposition of ballots and bullets a number of times (e.g., 1856, 1863).

Stalin, Josef -- Comment (1923)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

It is enough that the people know there was an election. The people who cast the votes decide nothing. The people who count the votes decide everything.

[Я считаю, что совершенно неважно, кто и как будет в партии голосовать; но вот что чрезвычайно важно, это – кто и как будет считать голоса.]

Josef Stalin (1879–1953) Georgian revolutionary and Soviet dictator
Comment (1923)

Another translation: "Those who cast the votes decide nothing. Those who count the votes decide everything."

Another translation: "I consider it completely unimportant who in the party will vote, or how; but what is extraordinarily important is this -- who will count the votes, and how." Quoted in B. Bazhanov, The Memoirs of Stalin's Former Secretary (1992) [Борис Бажанов. Воспоминания бывшего секретаря Сталина], regarding elections to the Central Committee of the Communist Party.

The quotation is considered dubious by a number of sources.

The phrase was used by Tom Stoppard in Jumpers (1972): "It's not the voting that's democracy, it's the counting."