Quality Quoteables

...in which I bring you a quote of great quality from the quantity of pages I absorb each day.

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"...the new decree?"

"Yes. The new decree. The agents of the Committee of General Security, of who Heron is chief, have from to-day powers of domiciliary search; they have full powers to proceed against all enemies of public welfare. Isn't that beautifully vague? And they have absolute discretion; the agents of the Committee of General Security shall alone decide what constitutes enmity against public welfare. All prisons are to be opened at their bidding to receive those whom they choose to denounce; they have hnceforth the right to examine all prisoners privately and without witnesses, and to send them to trial without further warrants; their duty is clear - they must 'beat up game for the guillotine.' Thus is the decree worded; they must furnish the Public Prosecutor with work to do, the tribunals with victims to condemn, the Place de la Revolution with death-scenes to amuse the people, and for their work they will be rewarded thirty-five livres for every head that falls under the guillotine. Ah! if Heron and his like and his myrmidons work and well they can make a comfortable income of four or five livres a week. We are getting on, friend St. Just - we are getting on...."


"Then from this hell let loose upon earth," exclaimed St. Just hostly, "must we rescue those who refuse to ride upon this tide of blood." ~~ El Dorado by Emmuska Orczy