Wojciech Jaruzelski

“My life has been a difficult one, full of dramatic choices.”

“We are in the tragic situation of having to choose between a greater and a lesser evil.”

“The introduction of martial law was a dramatic, painful, but necessary decision.”

“History is a relentless mistress. It has no present, only the past rushing into the future. To try to hold fast is to be swept aside.”

“Martial law was a lesser evil. The greater evil would have been a Soviet intervention.”

“I have a clear conscience. I saved Poland from a catastrophe.”

“I am a soldier. I have to obey orders.”

“I can be accused of many things, but not of having been a Stalinist.”

“Solidarity was a beautiful and necessary movement. But it went too far.”

“History will judge me. I am ready for its verdict.”

“The nation is the supreme value.”