9 Quotes & Sayings By Theodor Herzl

Theodor Herzl (May 15, 1860 – December 4, 1904) was an Austro-Hungarian Jewish writer, journalist, playwright and political activist. He was a leader of the Zionist movement, and advocated the founding of a Jewish state in Palestine. His books Der Judenstaat ("The State of the Jews") and Der Judenstaat als Solution ("The State of the Jews as a Solution") were published in 1902 and argued for a future Jewish state in Palestine, based on historical precedent. Herzl's political activities led to his being persecuted by the Austrian government from 1896 until his death in 1904.

1
I also hold a settling of questions by the referendum to be an unsatisfactory procedure, because there are no simple political questions which can be answered merely by Yes and No. The masses are also more prone even than Parliaments to be led away by heterodox opinions, and to be swayed by vigorous ranting. It is impossible to formulate a wise internal or external policy in a popular assembly. Theodor Herzl
2
It goes without saying that the Jewish people can have no other goal than Palestine and that, whatever the fate of the proposition may be, our attitude toward the land of our fathers is and shall remain unchangeable. Theodor Herzl
3
What We want is to make it possible for our unfortunate people to live a life of industry for it is by steady work alone that we hope for our physical and moral rehabilitation. For this reason above all we have undertaken to rally our people around our ideal. Theodor Herzl
4
Philanthropic colonization is a failure. National colonization will succeed. Theodor Herzl
5
Truly we have had enough experience with sufferance and protection which could be revoked at will. Consequently, the only reasonable Course of action is to work for publicly legalized guarantees. Theodor Herzl
6
But I am convinced that those Jews who stand aside today with a malicious smile and with their hands in their trousers' pockets will also want to dwell in our beautiful home. Theodor Herzl
7
Palestine is our unforgettable historic home. The very name would be a force of marvelous potency for summoning our people together. Theodor Herzl
8
If anyone thinks that Jews can steal into the land of their fathers, he is deceiving either himself or others. Nowhere is the coming of Jews so promptly noted as in the historic home of the Jews, for the very reason that it is the historic home. Theodor Herzl