Cesar Chavez was an American labor leader and civil rights activist who, with Dolores Huerta, co-founded the National Farm Workers Association (later the United Farm Workers union, UFW) in 1962. Originally a Mexican American farm worker, Chavez became the best known Latino American civil rights activist and was strongly promoted by the American labor movement, which was eager to enroll Hispanic members. His public-relations approach to unionism and aggressive but nonviolent tactics made the farm workers’ struggle a moral cause with nationwide support. By the late 1970s, his tactics had forced growers to recognize the UFW as the bargaining agent for 50,000 field workers in California and Florida. May his quotes inspire you to take action so that you may live your dreams.
1. “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.” Cesar Chavez
2. “The fight is never about grapes or lettuce. It is always about people.” Cesar Chavez
3. “If you really want to make a friend, go to someone’s house and eat with him. The people who give you their food give you their heart.” Cesar Chavez
4. “You are never strong enough where you don’t need help.” Cesar Chavez
5. “Once social change begins, it cannot be reversed. We have seen the future, and the future is ours.” Cesar Chavez
6. “The end of all knowledge should be service to others.” Cesar Chavez
7. “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
8. “Only when we have become nonviolent towards all life will we have learned to live well ourselves.” Cesar Chavez
9. “What better books can there be than the book of humanity?” Cesar Chavez
10. “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.” Cesar Chavez
11. “Students must have initiative; they should not be mere imitators. They must learn to think and act for themselves, and be free.” Cesar Chavez
12. “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.” Cesar Chavez
13. “You must become a servant of the people. When you do, you can demand their commitment in return.” Cesar Chavez
14. “It is my deepest belief that only by giving our lives do we find life.” Cesar Chavez
15. “Our language is the reflection of ourselves.” Cesar Chavez
16. “The people united will never be defeated.” Cesar Chavez
17. “It is possible to become discouraged about the injustice we see everywhere. But God did not promise us that the world would be humane and just. He gives us the gift of life and allows us to choose the way we will use our limited time on earth. It is an awesome opportunity.” Cesar Chavez
18. “There is no substitute for hard work, 23 or 24 hours a day. And there is no substitute for patience and acceptance.” Cesar Chavez
19. “We draw our strength from the very despair in which we have been forced to live. We shall endure.” Cesar Chavez
20. “Together, all things are possible.” Cesar Chavez
21. “Perseverance of one’s own culture does not require contempt or disrespect for other cultures.” Cesar Chavez
22. “To be a man is to suffer for others.” Cesar Chavez
23. “What I do shows people what kind of person I am.” Cesar Chavez
24. “Never, never is it possible to reach someone if you become angry or bitter, only love and gentleness can do it.” Cesar Chavez
25. “Talk is cheap, it is the way we organize and use our lives every day that tells what we believe in.” Cesar Chavez
26. “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.” Cesar Chavez
27. “Those who are willing to sacrifice and be of service have very little difficulty with people. They know what they are all about. People can’t help but want to be near them. They help them; they work with them. That’s what love is all about. It starts with your heart and radiates out.” Cesar Chavez
28. “When you have people together who believe in something – things happen.” Cesar Chavez
29. “Sacrifice is a powerful weapon.” Cesar Chavez
30. “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.” Cesar Chavez
31. “In giving of yourself, you will discover a whole new life full of meaning and love.” Cesar Chavez
32. “When we are really honest with ourselves we must admit our lives are all that really belong to us. So it is how we use our lives that determines the kind of men we are.” Cesar Chavez
33. “There’s no turning back, we will win. We are winning because ours is a revolution of mind and heart.” Cesar Chavez
34. “We must understand that the highest form of freedom carries with it the greatest measure of discipline.” Cesar Chavez
35. “To make a great dream come true, the first requirement is a great capacity to dream; the second is persistence.” Cesar Chavez
