When the man who feeds the world by toiling in the fields is himself deprived of the basic rights of feeding, sheltering, and caring for his own family, the whole community of man is sick.
CESAR CHAVEZWhen the man who feeds the world by toiling in the fields is himself deprived of the basic rights of feeding, sheltering, and caring for his own family, the whole community of man is sick.
CESAR CHAVEZIt’s amazing how people can get so excited about a rocket to the moon and not give a damn about smog, oil leaks, the devastation of the environment with pesticides, hunger, disease.
CESAR CHAVEZWe’ll organize workers in this movement as long as we’re willing to sacrifice. The moment we stop sacrificing, we stop organizing.
CESAR CHAVEZSelf dedication is a spiritual experience.
CESAR CHAVEZNonviolence is really tough. You don’t practice nonviolence at conferences; you practice it on picket-lines.
CESAR CHAVEZFrom 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.
CESAR CHAVEZIn this world it is possible to achieve great material wealth, to live an opulent life. But a life built upon those things alone leaves a shallow legacy. In the end, we will be judged by other standards.
CESAR CHAVEZWhen you sacrifice, you force others to sacrifice. It’s an extremely powerful weapon.
CESAR CHAVEZWe need to help students and parents cherish and preserve the ethnic and cultural diversity that nourishes and strengthens this community – and this nation.
CESAR CHAVEZBeing of service is not enough. You must become a servant of the people. When you do, you can demand their commitment in return.
CESAR CHAVEZThe love for justice that is in us is not only the best part of our being but it is also the most true to our nature.
CESAR CHAVEZOrganizing is an educational process. The best educational process in the union is the picket line and the boycott. You learn about life.
CESAR CHAVEZThere is no substitute for hard work, 23 or 24 hours a day. And there is no substitute for patience and acceptance.
CESAR CHAVEZIt takes a lot of punishment to be able to do anything to change the social order.
CESAR CHAVEZYou cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore.
CESAR CHAVEZWe 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.
CESAR CHAVEZ