In the honor of King Michael I, one of the lesser-known leaders in WWII, and the last king of Romania, we have compiled a list of great and inspiring quotes.
King Michael I quotes
1. Romania moved forward through the ideals of the great people of our history, served responsibly and generously.
2. The most important things to acquire, after freedom and democracy, are identity and dignity.
3. I don’t see today’s Romania as an inheritance from our parents, but as a country that we borrowed from our children.
4. The world of tomorrow cannot exist without morality, without faith and without memory. Cynicism, narrow interest and cowardice should not occupy our lives.
5. We cannot have a future without respecting our past.
6. If people want me to return, I’ll return. Romanians have suffered enough and they have the right to be consulted regarding their future.
7. The royal crown is not a symbol of the past, but a unique representation of our independence, sovereignty and unity. The crown is a reflection of the State, in its historical continuity, and of the Nation, in its evolution.
8. The children and young people of the country today have a life without borders. In front of computers or traveling on five continents, without any inferiority complex, they are that part of Romania that puts us on an equal level with any other country in the world.
9. I thank the parents and teachers who, through personal sacrifice, give their children a future that no other past generation of Romanians could have.
10. We will only have a chance in the future if we take our own responsibility. No one will come from elsewhere to give us good.
11. The crown consolidated Romania through loyalty, courage, respect, seriousness and modesty.”
12. The current leaders are educated in a certain way or it is very difficult to change their mentality.
13. If you think that the development of Romania had been done in many generations, and Carol I had modernized Romania in 48 years of reign… These people destroyed everything in an instant. Anything or anyone that meant anything in this country was annihilated. And now we have to start from scratch. On his arrival, Carol I found something here, however. There were politicians, people who had a patriotic feeling. All of these have been deleted. Even if you feel something for your country, though, it’s hard to get a clear picture. No other system, not even the Nazis, did anything like this here, maybe anywhere else
14. If a radical change is made, things will go much faster. But it is important for the common man to understand, to feel that, indeed, something is being done for him. And this starts from simple things like his house, his land.
15. Many still think I’m a millionaire. Communist propaganda said we left with dozens of wagons full of gold and riches. And that caught on with some.
16. It does not mean that if you are in an exceptional position, you have to treat others from above.
17. We must always remember the past. I was told we can’t go back. But for me, if you don’t have a past, you can’t have a future. Because you have to know where you come from. Or, a country without a past is like a country without a soul.
18. The school is and will be a cornerstone of society
19. Having good laws is an important thing. Getting people to respect them is even more valuable. But the fundamental thing is that people believe in them. Today’s Romania has not yet arrived there.
20. The most beautiful royal crown is the trust and love of Romanians, and its value lies in Romania’s own merits.
21. Democracy must enrich the art of governance, not impoverish it. Romania, like all European countries, needs respected and skilled leaders”
22. Politics can harm the citizen, if it is applied in contempt of ethics, personalizing power and disregarding the primary purpose of State institutions
23. One thing I learned in my youth was that friends can let you down more than enemies. Another thing I learned then was that in crucial moments you remain alone.
24. I am with you in mind and soul. Weapons cannot crush souls, they cannot destroy ideals. Do not provoke them, be peaceful, but dignified. With God ahead!