Quotes from Shah of Shahs by Ryszard Kapuściński
The best-known quotes from Shah of Shahs by Ryszard Kapuściński — on despotism, revolution, fear and the mechanics of an authoritarian regime's collapse.
Translation note: Unless a published English translator is named, the wording on this page is an editorial translation from Polish and may differ from the authorised English-language edition.
A selection of the best-known quotes from Shah of Shahs by Ryszard Kapuściński — his report on the Iranian revolution and the fall of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Quotes on despotism, revolution and the breaking of fear.
📖 See also: summary and analysis · the book’s page
Best-known quotes
“Despotism fears only one thing — independent, self-reliant thinking.” — Shah of Shahs
“Revolution is deliverance, but it is also pain. The two feelings tangle and mix together.” — Shah of Shahs
“If a man held office and did not steal, a void formed around him: he aroused suspicion. Others would say, he must be a spy. Values carried a reversed sign.” — Shah of Shahs
See also
source: kapuscinski.info