A biography for Cesar Chavezhasn’t been written yet.
“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.”
“If you want to remember me, organize!”
“When poor people get involved in a long conflict, such as a strike or a civil rights drive, and the pressure increases each day, there is a deep need for spiritual advice. Without it, we see families crumble, leadership weaken, and hard workers grow tired.”
“The burdens of generations of poverty and powerlessness lie heavy in the fields of America. If we fail, there are those who will see violence as the shortcut to change.”
“Without a union, the people are always cheated, and they are so innocent.”
“It is my deepest belief that only by giving our lives do we find life. I am convinced that the truest act of courage, the strongest act of manliness is to sacrifice ourselves for others in a totally non-violent struggle for justice.”
“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.”
“There is no law for farm labor organizing, save the law of the jungle.”
“Students must have initiative; they should not be mere imitators. They must learn to think and act for themselves - and be free.”
“There is no substitute for hard work, 23 or 24 hours a day. And there is no substitute for patience and acceptance.”
“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.”
“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.”