José de San Martín est un général et homme d'État argentin né le 25 février 1778 à Yapeyú et mort en France à Boulogne-sur-Mer le 17 août 1850. Avec Simón Bolívar et Bernardo O'Higgins, il est l'un des héros des indépendances sud-américaines. Wikipedia
“The soldiers of our land know no luxury, but glory.”
Los soldados de la patria no conocen el lujo, sino la gloria.
Documentos del archivo de San Martín (1911) by Museo Mitre, Vol. 11, p. 385
“A well-fought defeat is worth more than a casual victory.”
Una derrota peleada vale más que una victoria casual.
100 Masones Su Palabra (2010)
Response of a request by José de la Riva Agüero for support in a revolution against the Peruvian congress in 1823, as quoted in 'Captain of the Andes : The Life of José de San Martín, Liberator of Argentina, Chile and Peru (1943) by Margaret Hayne Harrison, p. 201
Contexte: Your coarse impudence in making me a proposition to employ my sword in a civil war is simply incomprehensible. You insolent scoundrel! Do you realize it has never been dipped in American blood?
Farewell address to the Peruvian people (20 September 1822), as quoted in 'Captain of the Andes : The Life of José de San Martín, Liberator of Argentina, Chile and Peru (1943) by Margaret Hayne Harrison, p. 159
Contexte: I have witnessed the declaration of independence of the States of Chile and Peru. I hold in my hand the standard carried by Pizarro when he enslaved the Empire of the Incas, and I am no longer a public man. Ten years of revolution and war have been repaid to me with usury. My promises to the people for whom I have waged war have been fulfilled — to accomplish their independence and leave the choice of their rulers to their own will. The presence of an unfortunate soldier, however disinterested he may be, is not desirable in newly constituted states. On the other hand, I am tired of having it said that I wish to make myself King. In short, I shall always be ready to make the ultimate sacrifice for the liberty of the country, but as in the character of a simple private citizen and in no other. As for my conduct in public office, my compatriots, as is usually the case, will divide their opinions; their children will render true judgment. Peruvians, I leave you with your national representation established. If you place your entire confidence in it, count on succes; if not, anarchy will destroy you. May Heaven preside over your destinies and may you reach the summit of happiness and peace.
Letter to a General Pinto<!-- (perhaps ?) late 1840s-->, as quoted in Captain of the Andes : The Life of José de San Martín, Liberator of Argentina, Chile and Peru (1943) by Margaret Hayne Harrison, p. 196
Contexte: One should be under no illusions as to the future of the Old World. The real contest in the present day is purely social. In a word the struggle lies between him who has nothing and him who has. Figure out the consequences of such a principle, infiltrated in the masses by the harangues of the clubs and the reading of millions of pamphlets.
Resignation address to the Peruvian Congress, (22 September 1820), as quoted in 'Captain of the Andes : The Life of José de San Martín, Liberator of Argentina, Chile and Peru (1943) by Margaret Hayne Harrison, p. 159
Contexte: I have fulfilled the sacred promises which I made Peru; I have witnessed the assembly of its representatives; the enemy's force threatens the independence of no place that wishes to be free, and that possesses the means of being so. A numerous army, under the direction of warlike chiefs, is ready to march in a few days to put an end to the war. Nothing is left for me to do, but to offer you my sincerest thanks, and to promise, that if the liberties of the Peruvians shall ever be attacked, I shall claim the honor of accompanying them to defend their freedom like a citizen.
“More noise occurs from a single man shouting than a hundred thousand who are quiet.”
Hace más ruído un sólo hombre gritando que cien mil que están callados.
100 Masones Su Palabra (2010)
“You will be what you must be, or else you will be nothing.”
Serás lo que debas ser o si no no serás nada.
Quoted in La vida blanca (1960) by Eduardo Mallea, p. 154
Variant translation: You will be what you should be or else will not be.
Farewell address to the Peruvian people (20 September 1822), as quoted in 'Captain of the Andes : The Life of José de San Martín, Liberator of Argentina, Chile and Peru (1943) by Margaret Hayne Harrison, p. 159
Contexte: I have witnessed the declaration of independence of the States of Chile and Peru. I hold in my hand the standard carried by Pizarro when he enslaved the Empire of the Incas, and I am no longer a public man. Ten years of revolution and war have been repaid to me with usury. My promises to the people for whom I have waged war have been fulfilled — to accomplish their independence and leave the choice of their rulers to their own will. The presence of an unfortunate soldier, however disinterested he may be, is not desirable in newly constituted states. On the other hand, I am tired of having it said that I wish to make myself King. In short, I shall always be ready to make the ultimate sacrifice for the liberty of the country, but as in the character of a simple private citizen and in no other. As for my conduct in public office, my compatriots, as is usually the case, will divide their opinions; their children will render true judgment. Peruvians, I leave you with your national representation established. If you place your entire confidence in it, count on succes; if not, anarchy will destroy you. May Heaven preside over your destinies and may you reach the summit of happiness and peace.
“I have witnessed the declaration of independence of the States of Chile and Peru.”
Farewell address to the Peruvian people (20 September 1822), as quoted in 'Captain of the Andes : The Life of José de San Martín, Liberator of Argentina, Chile and Peru (1943) by Margaret Hayne Harrison, p. 159
Contexte: I have witnessed the declaration of independence of the States of Chile and Peru. I hold in my hand the standard carried by Pizarro when he enslaved the Empire of the Incas, and I am no longer a public man. Ten years of revolution and war have been repaid to me with usury. My promises to the people for whom I have waged war have been fulfilled — to accomplish their independence and leave the choice of their rulers to their own will. The presence of an unfortunate soldier, however disinterested he may be, is not desirable in newly constituted states. On the other hand, I am tired of having it said that I wish to make myself King. In short, I shall always be ready to make the ultimate sacrifice for the liberty of the country, but as in the character of a simple private citizen and in no other. As for my conduct in public office, my compatriots, as is usually the case, will divide their opinions; their children will render true judgment. Peruvians, I leave you with your national representation established. If you place your entire confidence in it, count on succes; if not, anarchy will destroy you. May Heaven preside over your destinies and may you reach the summit of happiness and peace.
Letter to the superior of the Franciscans at Cuyo (12 August 1818), as quoted in "Virgin of Cuyo" in The Catholic Encyclopedia (1914) http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/16031c.htm
Contexte: The remarkable protection granted to the Army of the Andes by its Patron and General, Our Lady of Cuyo, cannot fail to be observed. I am obliged as a Christian to acknowledge the favour and to present to Our Lady, who is venerated in your Reverence's church, my staff of command which I hereby send: for it belongs to her and may it be a testimony of her protection to our Army.
Si hay victoria en vencer al enemigo, la hay más cuando el hombre se vence a si mismo.
100 Masones Su Palabra (2010)
“I only want Lions in my regiment.”
Solo quiero Leones en mi regimiento.
As quoted in San Martín, The Liberator (1971) by J. C. J. Metford, p. 33
“Mercedes … this is the exhaustion of death. Mariano — back to my room.”
Last words, during a fatal heart attack (17 August 1850), as reported in Captain of the Andes : The Life of José de San Martín, Liberator of Argentina, Chile and Peru (1943) by Margaret Hayne Harrison, p. 196
El Perú es desde este momento libre e independiente por la voluntad general de los pueblos y por la justicia de su causa que Dios defiende. ¡Viva la patria! ¡Viva la libertad! ¡Viva la independencia!
(Declaration of the Peruvian independence, July 28, 1821).
“My best friend is he who rights my wrongs or reproaches my mistakes.”
Mi mejor amigo es el que enmienda mis errores o reprueba mis desaciertos.
Quoted in Historia Jeneral de Chile : Pt. 9. Organizacion de la Republica, 1820-1833 (1894) by Diego Barros Arana, p. 298
De lo que mis Granaderos son capaces, solo lo sé yo, quien los iguale habrá, quien los exceda no.
100 Masones Su Palabra (2010)
“The conscience is the best and most impartial judge that a righteous man has.”
La conciencia es el mejor y más imparcial juez que tiene el hombre de bien.
Letter from Brussels (18 December 1827), quoted in La Rivista de Buenos Aires (1864) edited by Miguel Navarro Viola y Vicente G. Quesada, Vol. 4
