Non-violence has suffered its biggest defeat in the hands of people who most want to talk about it.
Interpretation
Non-violence is often undermined by those who prioritize discussion over action.
Cesar Chavez suggests that the concept of non-violence, which aims to promote peace and justice through peaceful means, can be weakened by individuals who focus too much on conversation rather than taking tangible actions. This highlights the importance of practicing non-violence rather than merely advocating for it without commitment to change.
In practice
In a speech about social justice, a speaker may reference this quote to emphasize the need for action over mere dialogue.
I became a vegetarian after realizing that animals feel afraid, cold, hungry and unhappy like we do. I feel very deeply about vegetarianism and the animal kingdom. It was my dog Boycott who led me to question the right of humans to eat other sentient beings.
I think one of the great, great problems...is confusing people to the point where they become immobile. In fact, the more things people can find out for themselves, the more vigor the organization is going to have.
In the final analysis it doesn't really matter what the political system is...We don't need perfect political systems; we need perfect participation.
There is enough love and good will in our movement to give energy to our struggle and still have plenty left over to break down and change the climate of hate and fear around us.
Our union represents a breaking away...represents sharing a power, represent questioning, represents a new force...however long it takes, we are geared for a struggle.
Every time we sit at a table at night or in the morning to enjoy the fruits and grain and vegetables from our good earth, remember that they come from the work of men and women and children who have been exploited for generations.
The reader knows the writer better than he knows himself; but the writer's physical presence is light from a star that has moved on.
If a conclusion is not poetically balanced, it cannot be scientifically true.
Hong Kong people say Hong Kong needs to preserve its uniqueness. I say Hong Kong's uniqueness is in its diversity, its tolerance of difference cultures... China does not want to see Hong Kong in decline. I have full confidence in its future.
Even with the utterly lost, to whom life and death are equally jests, there are matters of which no jest can be made.
If we had to preach to thousands year after year, and never rescued but one soul, that one soul would be a full reward for all our labour, for a soul is of countless price.
Nothing, not even human life, is more precious to us than our myths about ourselves.
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