12 Cesar Chavez Quotes on Nonviolence

Cesar Chavez quotes on nonviolence

29. Dr. King was also radical in his beliefs about violence. He learned how to successfully fight hatred and violence with the unstoppable power of nonviolence. He once stopped an armed mob, saying: 'We are not advocating violence. We want to love our enemies. I want you to love our enemies. Be good to them. This is what we live by. We must meet hate with love.'

48. I am convinced that the truest act of courage, the strongest act of manliness, is to sacrifice ourselves for others in a totally nonviolent struggle for justice. To be a man is to suffer for others. God help us to be men!

57. 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.

72. 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.

74. Non-violence is a very powerful weapon. Most people don't understand the power of non-violence and tend to be amazed by the whole idea. Those who have been involved in bringing about change and see the difference between violence and non-violence are firmly committed to a lifetime of non-violence, not because it is easy or because it is cowardly, but because it is an effective and very powerful way.

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

77. Non-violence really rests on the reservoir that you have to create in yourself of patience; not of being patient with the problems, but being patient with yourself to do the hard work.

79. Once people understand the strength of nonviolence, the force it generates, the love it creates, the response it brings from the total community, they will not easily abandon it.

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

118. There is no such thing as defeat in non-violence.

125. Violence just hurts those who are already hurt... Instead of exposing the brutality of the oppressor, it justifies it.

133. We can choose to use our lives for others to bring about a better and more just world for our children. People who make that choice will know hardship and sacrifice. But if you give yourself totally to the non-violent struggle for peace and justice you also find that people give you their hearts and you will never go hungry and never be alone. And in giving of yourself you will discover a whole new life full of meaning and love.