Aleksandr Lebed Quotes, born April 20, 1950, in Novocherkassk, Russia, was a Soviet and Russian military officer and politician renowned for his blunt charisma and pivotal roles in post-Soviet conflicts. A lieutenant general in the Russian Airborne Forces, he served in the Soviet-Afghan War and later brokered peace in Moldova’s Transnistria conflict (1992) and the First Chechen War (1996). Lebed ran for president in 1996, placing third, and served as Secretary of the Security Council and governor of Krasnoyarsk Krai until his death in a 2002 helicopter crash. These 15 quotes—sourced from interviews, public statements, his book Za Derzhavu Obidno, and posts on X—reflect his views on leadership, war, society, and Russia’s struggles, capturing his gruff honesty and military ethos.
15 Aleksandr Lebed Quotes
- “First of all, I would make about 80% of the people law-abiding citizens again. The policy which is carried out now makes every entrepreneur and businessman a thief against his own will.” (Interview, BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “Have you ever dealt with people who have lost everything in just an hour? In the morning you leave the house where your wife, your children, your parents live. You return and you find a smoking pit. Then something happens to you—to a certain extent you stop being human.” (Goodreads, n.d.)
- “I have equal contempt for both left and right radicals.” (Interview, BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “Think before you speak, and don’t say everything you think.” (Interview, AZQuotes, n.d.)
- “He who shoots first laughs last.” (Interview, AZQuotes, n.d.)
- “Russia is like a dinosaur. A lot of time is needed for change to reach the tail from the head.” (Interview, AZQuotes, n.d.)
- “Most Russians don’t care whether they are ruled by fascists or communists or even Martians as long as they can buy six kinds of sausage in the store and lots of cheap vodka.” (Interview, PictureQuotes, n.d.)
- “Human beings are not trash. Human blood is not water to be spilled.” (Interview, TIME, 1995)
- “I never defended the White House. I defended common sense.” (Interview, TIME, 1995)
- “Bogatet’ nado vmeste s derzhavoy, a ne za yeyo schyot.” (“You should grow rich together with the state, not at its expense.”) (Post on X, @ussrlife, 2019-04-22)
- “I am not without sins. There cannot be an airborne assault general who has no sins.” (Interview, Russian Television Network, 1996)
- “If the rape is unavoidable, relax and try to enjoy it.” (Interview, The New York Times, 1997)
- “Let me recruit a platoon of the children of the elite, and the war will be over in a day.” (Post on X, @P_Kallioniemi, 2023-09-29)
- “We are still a great power. We have rockets. They are rusty, but we still have them.” (Interview, The Washington Post, 1995)
- “To win, you’ve got to plan carefully and then make war with the speed of lightning.” (Interview, TIME, 1995)
Aleksandr Lebed’s quotes blend gritty realism, sharp wit, and a soldier’s disdain for political games, urging resilience and pragmatic leadership. Which quote hits hardest for you? Share it below and keep Lebed’s bold legacy alive!
Emma Thompson
Hi, I'm Emma Thompson, founder of MyLittleDesire. I share relationship advice, love quotes, and thoughtful gift ideas to help you express your feelings and strengthen your bonds. Let's celebrate love together!
Email – business@mylittledesire.com
