Explore Quotes by Cesar Chavez

There is no such thing as defeat in non-violence.

Real education should consist of drawing the goodness and the best out of our own students. What better books can there be than the book of humanity?

Who gets the risks? The risks are given to the consumer, the unsuspecting consumer and the poor work force. And who gets the benefits? The benefits are only for the corporations, for the money makers.

Our language is the reflection of ourselves. A language is an exact reflection of the character and growth of its speakers.

We need to help students and parents cherish and preserve the ethnic and cultural diversity that nourishes and strengthens this community - and this nation.

The fight is never about grapes or lettuce. It is always about people.

We draw our strength from the very despair in which we have been forced to live. We shall endure.

Students must have initiative; they should not be mere imitators. They must learn to think and act for themselves - and be free.

Preservation of one's own culture does not require contempt or disrespect for other cultures.

It is possible to become discouraged about the injustice we see everywhere. But God did not promise us that the world would be humane and just. He gives us the gift of life and allows us to choose the way we will use our limited time on earth. It is an awesome opportunity.

If you really want to make a friend, go to someone's house and eat with him... the people who give you their food give you their heart.

We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community... Our ambitions must be broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of others, for their sakes and for our own.

Non-violence is a very powerful weapon. Most people don't understand the power of non-violence and tend to be amazed by the whole idea. Those who have been involved in bringing about change and see the difference between violence and non-violence are firmly committed to a lifetime of non-violence, not because it is easy or because it is cowardly, but because it is an effective and very powerful way.

We are convinced that non-violence is more powerful than violence. We are convinced that non-violence supports you if you have a just and moral cause...If you use violence, you have to sell part of yourself for that violence. Then you are no longer a master of your own struggle.

The first principle of non-violent action is that of non-cooperation with everything humiliating.

Violence just hurts those who are already hurt...Instead of exposing the brutality of the oppressor, it justifies it.

Through Gandhi and my own life experience, I have learned about nonviolence. I believe that human life is a very special gift from God, and that no one has a right to take that away in any cause, however just. I am convinced that nonviolence is more powerful than violence.

You know, if people are not pacifists, it's not their fault. It's because society puts them in that spot. You've got to change it. You don't just change a man - you've got to change his environment as you do it.

Nonviolence is really tough. You don't practice nonviolence at conferences; you practice it on picket-lines.

Non-violence exacts a very high price from one who practices it. But once you are able to meet that demand then you can do most things.

Kindness and compassion towards all living things is a mark of a civilized society. Conversely, cruelty, whether it is directed against human beings or against animals, is not the exclusive province of any one culture or community of people.