The first principle of non-violent action is that of non-cooperation with everything humiliating. Cesar Chavez More Quotes by Cesar Chavez More Quotes From Cesar Chavez To make a great dream come true, the first requirement is a great capacity to dream; the second is persistence. Cesar Chavez persistence requirements dream Once social change begins, it cannot be reversed. You cannot un-educate the person who has learned to read. You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore. Cesar Chavez Address to the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco, Nov. 9, 1984 Cesar Chavez san-francisco pride peace 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 wealth legacy inspire 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 achievement ambition change The people united will never be defeated. Cesar Chavez united defeated people 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 government powerful judging Preservation of one's own culture does not require contempt or disrespect for other cultures. Cesar Chavez disrespect other-cultures diversity Grant me courage to serve others; For in service there is true life. Cesar Chavez true-life grants We have suffered unnumbered ills and crimes in the name of the Law of the Land. Our men, women, and children have suffered not only the basic brutality of stoop labor, and the most obvious injustices of the system; they have also suffered the desperation of knowing that the system caters to the greed of callous men and not to our needs. Now we will suffer for the purpose of ending the poverty, the misery, and the injustice, with the hope that our children will not be exploited as we have been. They have imposed hungers on us, and now we hunger for justice. Cesar Chavez sacrifice men children Students must have initiative; they should not be mere imitators. They must learn to think and act for themselves - and be free. Cesar Chavez initiative students thinking Non-violence is not inaction. It is not discussion. It is not for the timid or weak... Non-violence is hard work. Cesar Chavez hard-work war peace The fight is never about grapes or lettuce. It is always about people. Cesar Chavez fighting struggle peace Our struggle is not easy. Those who oppose our cause are rich and powerful and they have many allies in high places. We are poor. Our allies are few. But we have something the rich do not own. We have our bodies and spirits and the justice of our cause as our weapons. Cesar Chavez powerful struggle justice In giving of yourself, you will discover a whole new life full of meaning and love. Cesar Chavez and-love new-life giving When any person suffers for someone in greater need, that person is a human. Cesar Chavez sacrifice suffering needs You cannot uneducate the person who has learned to read. Cesar Chavez humiliate persons What I do shows people what kind of person I am. Cesar Chavez kind shows people You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore. Cesar Chavez not-afraid democracy people Together, all things are possible Cesar Chavez all-things together Never, never is it possible to reach someone if you become angry or bitter only love and gentleness can do it. Maybe not this time but maybe the next or the hundredth time. Cesar Chavez only-love bitter next
