What is at stake is human dignity. If a man is not accorded respect he cannot respect himself and if he does not respect himself, he cannot demand it.
Interpretation
Human dignity is foundational for self-respect and mutual respect.
Cesar Chavez emphasizes the importance of human dignity and respect in his quote, asserting that without being treated with respect by others, an individual struggles to respect themselves. This lack of self-respect makes it impossible for them to advocate for their own dignity, leading to a cycle where respect must be established both externally and internally.
In practice
In a speech about social justice, one might reference this quote to highlight the need for respect in society.
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.
Old deeds for old people, and new deeds for new.
However, if "free choice" means more than a small selection between pre-established necessities, and if the inclinations and impulses used in work are other than those preshaped by a repressive reality principle, then satisfaction in daily work is only a rare privilege.
The ideas I had about supernatural beings came to me the same way that my mathematical ideas did. So I took them seriously.
Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts... perhaps the fear of a loss of power.
I fear uniformity. You cannot manufacture great men any more than you can manufacture gold.
Every new opinion, at its starting, is precisely in a minority of one.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.