Quotes from Cesar Chavez

What we do know absolutely is that human lives are worth more than grapes and that innocent-looking grapes on the table may disguise poisonous residues hidden deep inside where washing cannot reach.

Though many of the poor have come to see the affluent middle class as its enemy, that class actually stands between the poor and the real powers in this society - the administrative octopus with its head in Washington, the conglomerates, the military complex.

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

Our conviction is that human life and limb are a very special possession given by God to man and that no one has the right to take that away, in any cause, however just...

The love for justice that is in us is not only the best part of our being but it is also the most true to our nature.

The fight is never about grapes or lettuce. It is always about people.

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

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.

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.

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

The basis for peace is respecting all creatures.

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 don't know how God chooses martyrs. We do know that they give us the most precious gift they possess - their very lives.

The people who give you their food give you their heart.

We farm workers are closest to food production. We were the first to recognize the serious health hazards of agriculture pesticides to both consumers and ourselves.

Real education should consist of drawing the goodness and the best out of our own students. What better books can there be than the book of humanity?

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.

Since the Church is to be servant to the poor, it is our fault if that wealth is not channeled to help the poor in our world.

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.

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.

Grant me courage to serve others; For in service there is true life.

Only when we have become nonviolent towards all life will we have learned to live well with others.

It is my deepest belief that only by giving our lives do we find life.

We draw our strength from the very despair in which we have been forced to live. We shall endure.