Vladimir Lenin Quotes: Moscow Commemorates Anniversary Of Communist Leader’s Death [PHOTOS]

Russians gathered in Moscow’s Red Square Wednesday to commemorate the 91st anniversary of Vladimir Lenin’s death, two days after performance artists were arrested for pouring holy water on the divisive 20th century politician’s tomb. Lenin, who founded the Russian Communist party and led the Bolshevik Revolution in the early 20th century, died Jan. 21, 1924.

The two activists involved in the holy water stunt were arrested and charged with hooliganism, according to the Agence France-Presse. They were part of a protest movement called “Blue Rider.” A video of the incident made its way to the Internet on Monday.

The question of whether Lenin’s body, which has been on public display in a mausoleum since just after his death, should be buried has long divided Russian society. The site has been heavily monitored by law enforcement since the Pussy Riot band staged a demonstration there in 2012 against President Vladimir Putin.

Below are quotes from the famed forefather of communism, on everything from leadership to liberty.

On leadership: “One man with a gun can control 100 without one.”

On imperialism: “If it were necessary to give the briefest possible definition of imperialism, we should have to say that imperialism is the monopoly stage of capitalism.”

On lying: “A lie told often enough becomes truth.”

On capitalism: “Freedom in capitalist society always remains about the same as it was in ancient Greek republics: Freedom for slave owners.”

On the press: "A newspaper is not only a collective propagandist and collective agitator, but also a collective organiser.”

On mentoring: “Give me four years to teach the children and the seed I have sown will never be uprooted.”

On liberty: “It is true that liberty is precious; so precious that it must be carefully rationed.”

On capitalism: “Capitalists are no more capable of self-sacrifice than a man is capable of lifting himself up by his own bootstraps.”

On currency: “The best way to destroy the capitalist system is to debauch the currency.”