Haile Selassie Quotes

A collection of quotes by Haile Selassie.

Haile Selassie (1892-1975) was the last emperor of Ethiopia, ruling from 1930 until he was overthrown in a coup in 1974. Born as Tafari Makonnen in a small Ethiopian town, he was appointed regent in 1916 and took the throne as Emperor Haile Selassie I in 1930. He is often revered as the religious figurehead of the Rastafari movement.

Selassie aimed to modernize Ethiopia and implemented significant economic and social reforms during his rule. He expanded education, healthcare, and infrastructure, and introduced a legal system based on Western principles. He also played an important role in advancing Pan-Africanism and was a prominent figure in international diplomacy, advocating for African independence and equality.

Haile Selassie faced significant challenges during his reign, including the Italian invasion of Ethiopia in 1935. Despite temporarily going into exile, he ultimately rallied international support and managed to restore Ethiopian independence in 1941. However, his later years were marked by increased political unrest and opposition to his leadership, leading to his overthrow and subsequent house arrest in 1974.

Haile Selassieâ€™s legacy as a leader, advocate for African independence, and his association with the Rastafari movement has ensured his lasting influence. While Ethiopia has undergone significant changes since his reign, his impact on the country's development and position in international affairs remains an important chapter in its history.

Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who co

Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted; the indifference of those who should have known better; the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most; that has made it possible for evil to triumph.

Soldiers! When it is announced that a respected and beloved

Soldiers! When it is announced that a respected and beloved leader has died for our freedom in the course of the battle, do not grieve, do not lose hope! Observe that anyone who dies for his country is a fortunate man, but death takes what it wants, indiscriminately, in peace-time as well as in war. It is better to die with freedom than without it. Our fathers who have maintained our country in freedom for us have offered us their life in sacrifice; so let them be an example to you!Soldier, trader, peasant, young and old, man and woman, be united! Defend your country by helping each other! According to ancient custom, the women will stand in defence of their country by giving encouragement to the soldier and by caring for the wounded. Although Italy is doing everything possible to disunite us, whether Christian or Muslim we will unitedly resist. Our shelter and our shield is God. May our attackers new weapons not deflect you from your thoughts which are dedicated to your defence of Ethiopias freedom. Your King who speaks to you today will at that time be in your midst, prepared to shed his blood for the liberty of Ethiopia.

Until the philosophy which holds one race superior and anoth

Until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned, everywhere is war and until there are no longer first-class and second-class citizens of any nation, until the color of a man's skin is of no more significance than the color of his eyes. And until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all without regard to race, there is war. And until that day, the dream of lasting peace, world citizenship, rule of international morality, will remain but a fleeting illusion to be pursued, but never attained... now everywhere is war.

Outside the kingdom of the Lord there is no nation which is

Outside the kingdom of the Lord there is no nation which is greater than any other. God and history will remember your judgment.