Home / Quotes / Quote by Cesar Chavez

Quote by Cesar Chavez

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

Quote by Cesar Chavez

Author

Cesar Chavez was a prominent civil rights activist who dedicated his life to advocating for the rights of farm workers in the United States. Born on March 31, 1927, in Yuma, Arizona, Chavez grew up in a migrant farmworker family and experienced firsthand the hardships faced by agricultural laborers. He co-founded the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) in 1962, which later became the United Farm Workers (UFW). Through nonviolent protest, boycotts, and strikes, Chavez fought for fair wages, better working conditions, and improved living standards for farm workers. His efforts led to significant changes in the agricultural industry and inspired countless others to join the fight for social justice. more

You May Also Like

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

Doe Humanity Peace Depends Technique Violent Assistance Goodwill Non Violence Oppressors Non Violent

Author:Cesar Chavez

“There's no reason to be non-violent. There's no challenge unless you are living for people.”

People Reason Challenges Violent No Reason Non Violence Non Violent

Author:Cesar Chavez

“...people think non-violence is really weak and non-militant. These are misconceptions that people have because they don't understand what non-violence means. Non-violence takes more guts, if I can put it bluntly, than violence. Most violent acts are accomplished by getting the opponent off guard, and it doesn't take that much character, I think, if one wants to do it.”

People Ifs Thinking Want Mean I Can Character Violence Weak Violent Opponents Accomplished Guts Misconception Non Violence Militant Violent Acts

Author:Cesar Chavez

“Farm workers everywhere are angry and worried that we cannot win without violence. We have proved it before through persistence, hard work, faith and willingness to sacrifice. We can win and keep our own self-respect and build a great union that will secure the spirit of all people if we do it through a re-dedication and re-commitment to the struggle for justice through non-violence.”

“Imagine the National Guard being called against a group of peaceful people. How far can we get; how disgraceful can it become? It's the most disgraceful, the most wicked thing I've seen in all my years of organizing farm labor.”

People Years Imagine Groups Labor Peaceful Wicked Farms Non Violence Disgraceful National Guard Wicked Things

Author:Cesar Chavez

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

People Mean Action Hell Violence Organization Non Violence Mean People

Author:Cesar Chavez

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

People Want Hands Violence Defeat Non Violence

Author:Cesar Chavez

“Non-violence is very weak in the theoretical sense; it cannot defend itself. But it is most powerful in the action situation where people are using non-violence because they want desperately to bring about some change. Non-violence in action is a very potent force and it can't be stopped. The people who are struggling have the complete say-so. No man-made law, no human ruler, no army can destroy this. There is no way it can be destroyed... And so, if we have the capacity to endure, if we have the patience, things will change.”

People Ifs Men Way Want Humans Made Action Law Force Powerful Situation Struggle Violence Capacity Weak Army Endure Destroyed Most Powerful Rulers Theoretical Non Violence

Author:Cesar Chavez

“When workers fall back on violence, they are lost. Oh, they might win some of their demands and might end a strike a little earlier, but they give up their imagination, their creativity, their will to work hard and to suffer for what they believe is right.”

Giving Believe Littles Ends Hard Might Suffering Fall Winning Lost Imagination Creativity Violence Hard Work Demand Giving Up Workers Strikes Non Violence Fall Back

Author:Cesar Chavez

“...many have the idea that organizing people is very difficult, but it isn't. It becomes difficult only at the point where you begin to see other things that are easier. But if you are willing to give the time and make the sacrifice, it's not that difficult to organize.”

People Ifs Giving Ideas Difficult Sacrifice Willing Easier Organize

Author:Cesar Chavez