Authors: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

156 Thought-Provoking Quotes By Cesar Chavez That Prove Nothing Is Impossible

Famous As: American Labour Leader, Civil Rights Activist and Co-Founder of the ‘National Farm Workers Association’
Born On: 1927
Died On: 1993
Born In: Yuma, Arizona, United States
Founder / Co Founder: National Farm Workers/United Farm Workers (UFW).
Died At Age: 66

Cesar Chavez was a famed Latino-American civil rights activist and labor leader whose tale is an extraordinary one. The story of his struggle and battle for the rights of farm workers using non-violent means is truly inspiring and engrossing. It is also assumed that the hunger strikes that he did for the rights of workers eventually led to health issues which resulted in his sudden demise. He had faced a lot of adversities as a child and was able to relate well with the challenges that farm workers repeatedly faced. His cause of making the lives of farm workers better received support from all over. He called for embargoes, led several protests and went on numerous hunger strikes throughout his life. Following is a corpus of thoughts and opinions of Cesar Chavez which are till date quoted broadly. Let us browse through simple, sensible and inspirational quotes and thoughts by Cesar Chavez.

We do not need to kill or destroy to win. We are a movement that builds and not destroys.

We do not need to kill or destroy to win. We are a movement that builds and not destroys.

Cesar Chavez
However important the struggle is and however much misery and poverty and degradation exist, we know that it cannot be more important than one human life.

However important the struggle is and however much misery and poverty and degradation exist, we know that it cannot be more important than one human life.

Cesar Chavez
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.

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.

Cesar Chavez
If you give yourself totally to the nonviolence struggle for peace and justice you also find that people give you their hearts and you will never go hungry and never be alone.

If you give yourself totally to the nonviolence struggle for peace and justice you also find that people give you their hearts and you will never go hungry and never be alone.

Cesar Chavez
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.

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.

Cesar Chavez
If you win non-violently, then you have a double victory, you have not only won your fight, but you remain free.

If you win non-violently, then you have a double victory, you have not only won your fight, but you remain free.

Cesar Chavez
We're going to pray a lot and picket a lot.

We're going to pray a lot and picket a lot.

Cesar Chavez
The strike and the boycott, they have cost us much. What they have not paid us in wages, better working conditions, and new contracts, they have paid us in self-respect and human dignity.

The strike and the boycott, they have cost us much. What they have not paid us in wages, better working conditions, and new contracts, they have paid us in self-respect and human dignity.

Cesar Chavez
Non-violence has suffered its biggest defeat in the hands of people who most want to talk about it.

Non-violence has suffered its biggest defeat in the hands of people who most want to talk about it.

Cesar Chavez
We are organizers at heart. Most of us in the movement take great pride in being able to put things together.

We are organizers at heart. Most of us in the movement take great pride in being able to put things together.

Cesar Chavez
In non-violence the cause has to be just and clear as well as the means.

In non-violence the cause has to be just and clear as well as the means.

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

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

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

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

Cesar Chavez
We are certain God's will is that all men share in the good things this earth produces.

We are certain God's will is that all men share in the good things this earth produces.

Cesar Chavez
The only ones who make things change are fanatics. If you're not a fanatic around here, you can't cut it.

The only ones who make things change are fanatics. If you're not a fanatic around here, you can't cut it.

Cesar Chavez
You know, if people are not pacifists, it's not their fault. It's because society puts them in that spot. You've got to change it. You don't just change a man - you've got to change his environment as you do it.

You know, if people are not pacifists, it's not their fault. It's because society puts them in that spot. You've got to change it. You don't just change a man - you've got to change his environment as you do it.

Cesar Chavez
Look at the John Birch Society. Look at Hitler. The reactionaries are always better organizers.

Look at the John Birch Society. Look at Hitler. The reactionaries are always better organizers.

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

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

Cesar Chavez
Non-violence exacts a very high price from one who practices it. But once you are able to meet that demand then you can do most things.

Non-violence exacts a very high price from one who practices it. But once you are able to meet that demand then you can do most things.

Cesar Chavez
Non violence means people in action. People have to understand that with non-violence goes a hell of a lot of organization.

Non violence means people in action. People have to understand that with non-violence goes a hell of a lot of organization.

Cesar Chavez
We need, in a special way, to work twice as hard to help people understand that the animals are fellow creatures, that we must protect them and love them as we love ourselves.

We need, in a special way, to work twice as hard to help people understand that the animals are fellow creatures, that we must protect them and love them as we love ourselves.

Cesar Chavez
The basis for peace is respecting all creatures.

The basis for peace is respecting all creatures.

Cesar Chavez
If you're not frightened that you might fail, you'll never do the job. If you're frightened, you'll work like crazy.

If you're not frightened that you might fail, you'll never do the job. If you're frightened, you'll work like crazy.

Cesar Chavez
I would not take one cup of coffee from a grower...There's not a good one. I hate them. A few presents, a little talk, then the noose. That's how capitalism works.

I would not take one cup of coffee from a grower...There's not a good one. I hate them. A few presents, a little talk, then the noose. That's how capitalism works.

Cesar Chavez
Years of misguided teaching have resulted in the destruction of the best in our society, in our cultures and in the environment.

Years of misguided teaching have resulted in the destruction of the best in our society, in our cultures and in the environment.

Cesar Chavez
The non-violent technique does not depend for its success on the goodwill of the oppressor, but rather on the unfailing assistance of God.

The non-violent technique does not depend for its success on the goodwill of the oppressor, but rather on the unfailing assistance of God.

Cesar Chavez
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.

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.

Cesar Chavez
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.

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.

Cesar Chavez
The first principle of non-violent action is that of non-cooperation with everything humiliating.

The first principle of non-violent action is that of non-cooperation with everything humiliating.

Cesar Chavez
Do not romanticize the poor...We are all people, human beings subject to the same temptations and faults as all others. Our poverty damages our dignity.

Do not romanticize the poor...We are all people, human beings subject to the same temptations and faults as all others. Our poverty damages our dignity.

Cesar Chavez