...people think non-violence is really weak and non-militant. These are misconceptions that people have because they don't understand what non-violence means. Non-violence takes more guts, if I can put it bluntly, than violence. Most violent acts are accomplished by getting the opponent off guard, and it doesn't take that much character, I think, if one wants to do it.
Interpretation
Non-violence requires great strength and character, contrary to popular belief.
Cesar Chavez emphasizes that non-violence is not a sign of weakness but rather a demonstration of immense courage and strength of character. He argues that violent actions often exploit surprise and lack the depth of conviction that non-violent resistance demands, making it a far more courageous and difficult path to take.
In practice
This quote is perfect for a speech on peace activism to highlight the strength required for non-violent resistance.
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.
They're gonna keep knocking away until all this comes crashing down. But I'm not gonna ever crash. I'm in control.
This fear bears no analogy to any fear I knew before. This is the basest of all possible emotions, the feeling that was with us before we existed, before this building existed, before the earth existed. This is the fear that made fish crawl out onto dry land and evolve lungs, the fear that teaches us to run, the fear that makes us bury our dead.
Fighter pilots have ice in their veins. They don't have emotions. They think, anticipate. They know that fear and other concerns cloud your mind from what's going on and what you should be involved in.
I never knew where I was going, but I ripped the tits off of everything that got in my way. By the time they figured me out, it was too late.
We are going by you without fighting if you will let us, but we are going by you anyhow!
Don't be afraid - if you don't exercise your rights, you will lose them.
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