Quotes by Cesar Chavez

“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.”

“Once social change begins, it cannot be reversed. You cannot uneducate the person who has learned to read. You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore. We have seen the future, and the future is ours.”

“You are never strong enough that you dont need help.”

“Non-violence is not inaction. It is not discussion. It is not for the timid or weak... Non-violence is hard work. It is the willingness to sacrifice. It is the patience to win.”

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

“[We believe that unions have always been about much more than the industries in which they operate.] The fight is never about grapes or lettuce, ... It is always about people.”

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

“In some cases non-violence requires more militancy than violence.”

“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.”

“Theres nothing good in there.”

“Preservation of ones own culture does not require contempt or disrespect for other cultures.”

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

“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?”

“There is no substitute for hard work, 23 or 24 hours a day. And there is no substitute for patience and acceptance.”

“If you really want to make a friend, go to someones house and eat with him...The people who give you their food give you their heart.”

“Theres no turning back...We will win. We are winning because ours is a revolution of mind and heart...”

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

“From the depth of need and despair, people can work together, can organize themselves to solve their own problems and fill their own needs with dignity and strength.”

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