Jose Rizal Quotes | Best Quotes of Dr. Jose Rizal

In this hub, I’ve compiled all the best quotes of Dr. Jose Rizal. Quotes from himself, his books, his novels like Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. I’ve mentioned some quotes famed from their Tagalog versions, too. Enjoy!

“He who does not love his own language is worse than an animal and smelly fish.” from the Filipino quote above that says, Ang hindi magmahal sa kanyang wika ay higit pa sa hayop at malansang isda."

“While a people preserves its language; it preserves the marks of liberty.”

“He who does not know how to look back at where he came from will never get to his destination.” from the Tagalog quote, Ang hindi marunong lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makararating sa paroroonan.

“In the Middle Ages, everything bad was the work of the devil, everything good, the work of God. Today, the French see everything in reverse and blame the Germans for it.” - Letter to Fr. Pastells

“Genius has no country. It blossoms everywhere. Genius is like the light, the air. It is the heritage of all.” Toast to the artists Juan Luna and Felix Hidalgo: Madrid, Spain

“Today is Christmas Eve. Whether or not Christ was born exactly on this date is not important. But chronological accuracy has nothing to do with tonight's event. A grand genius had been born who preached truth and love; who suffered because of his mission; and on account of his sufferings the world has become better, if not saved. Only it gives me nausea to see how some people abuse his name to commit numerous crimes. If he is in heaven, he will certainly protest!” -Letter to Blumentritt

“One only dies once, and if one does not die well, a good opportunity is lost and will not present itself again.” - Letter to Mariano Ponce

“Law has no skin, reason has no nostrils.”

“Maria Clara took the young man’s head in her hands and kissed his lips repeatedly, embraced him and afterwards brusquely pushed him away from her."

Between ourselves we can say that the idea of purgatory is good, holy and reasonable. It continues the union between those who have left and those who are left behind, and obliges a commitment to a greater purity of lie. The evil lies in its abuse.” - Pilosopo Tasio

“I am nothing but a fugitive…on the run. Soon they will discover my escape…”

"Believing in accidents is like believing in miracles--both presuppose that God does not know the future."

"I die without seeing the dawn brighten over my native land.You who have it to see, welcome it--and forget not those who have fallen during the night!"

"You must shatter the vase to spread its perfume, and smite the rock to get the spark."

"There are no tyrants where there are no slaves."

"En campos de batalla, luchando
con delirio, Otros te dan sus vidas sin dudas, sin pesar;

El sitio nada importa, ciprés, laurel o lirio, Cadalso o campo abierto,
combate o cruel martirio,

Lo mismo es si lo piden la patria y el hogar."

(In fields of battle, deliriously fighting, others have given you their lives,
without doubt, without regret; The place matters not: where there’s cypress, laurel or lily,
On a plank or open field, in combat or cruel martyrdom,
It’s all the same if the home or country asks.)

I die just when I see the dawn break,

Through the gloom of night, to herald the day;

And if color is lacking my blood thou shalt take,

Pour'd out at need for thy dear sake,

To dye with its crimson the waking ray"

Oh how beautiful to fall to give you flight,
To die to give you life, to rest under your sky;
And in your enchanted land forever sleep