“I’m not going to ask for anything unless the workers want it. If they want it, they’ll ask for it.”

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.

Organizing is an educational process. The best educational process in the union is the picket line and the boycott. You learn about life.

To make a great dream come true, the first requirement is a great capacity to dream; the second is persistence.

Once social change begins, it cannot be reversed.

We’ll organize workers in this movement as long as we’re willing to sacrifice. The moment we stop sacrificing, we stop organizing.

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

The end of all knowledge must be the building up of character.

You are never strong enough that you don’t need help.

I do not assume that woman is better than man. I do assume that she has a different way of looking at things.

Nobody in a leadership level in American politics is trying to inspire the American people. Everybody needs to be goosed. The vast majority of people are not self-starters.

No leader, however great, can long continue unless he wins battles. The battle decides all.

Leadership requires two things: a vision of the world that does not yet exist and the ability to communicate it.

Intelligent people need a fool to lead them.

We need elected leaders who are going to stand for what is morally right.

It is not the biggest, the brightest or the best that will survive, but those who adapt the quickest.

Republican leadership has endless amounts of money for bloated military budgets and tax breaks for billionaires. But when working families need help, oh my God, we can’t afford it!