“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.”

History will judge societies and governments – and their institutions – not by how big they are or how well they serve the rich and the powerful, but by how effectively they respond to the needs of the poor and the helpless.

Talk is cheap. It is the way we organize and use our lives everyday that tells what we believe in.

We must understand that the highest form of freedom carries with it the greatest measure of discipline.

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

I am an organizer, not a union leader. A good organizer has to work hard and long. There are no shortcuts. You just keep talking to people, working with them, sharing, exchanging and they come along.

What I do shows people what kind of person I am.

When workers fall back on violence, they are lost. Oh, they might win some of their demands and might end a strike a little earlier, but they give up their imagination, their creativity, their will to work hard and to suffer for what they believe is right.

A symbol is an important thing. That is why we chose an Aztec eagle. It gives pride. When people see it they know it means dignity.

In 1968, I became a vegetarian after realizing that animals feel afraid, cold, hungry, and unhappy like we do.

True wealth is not measured in money or status or power. It is measured in the legacy we leave behind for those we love and those we inspire.

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

If we are full of hatred, we can’t really do our work. Hatred saps all that strength and energy we need to plan.

When a man or woman, young, or old, takes a place on the picket line for even a day or two, he will never be the same again.

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

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.

Being of service is not enough. You must become a servant of the people. When you do, you can demand their commitment in return.

We all have a social mask, right? We put it on, we go out, put our best foot forward, our best image. But behind that social mask is a personal truth, what we really, really believe about who we are and what we’re capable of.

I consider myself an artist, which is, like, the most played term, but I believe it.

First thing every morning before you arise say out loud, ‘I believe,’ three times.

People often think I’m a faker, but I’m usually honest, in a certain way–in such a way that often nobody believes me!

How would you expect to find community while you intentionally withdraw from it at some point? The disobedient cannot believe; only the obedient believe.

I believe one of the most dangerous things in the world is living.

I believe in love at first sight. But it’s not the first moment you lay eyes on a person, it’s the moment you first see the person they truly are.

I mean, I’m a big believer in talking to people when you can and trying to solve problems when you can.