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

— César Chávez, Indestructible Spirit Conference, La Paz, Keene, California (1991)

About César Chávez

1927 – 1993

American labor leader and civil-rights activist, co-founder of the United Farm Workers.

“Dr. King realized that the only real wealth comes from helping others.”

“Our sweat and our blood have fallen on this land to make other men rich.”

“We seek our basic, God-given rights as human beings.”

“The young have exalted notions, because they have not been humbled by life or learned its necessary limitations.”

“You never know how much you really believe anything until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death to you.”

“The consciousness of life is higher than life, the knowledge of the laws of happiness is higher than happiness.”

“Life was meant to be lived, and curiosity must be kept alive. One must never, for whatever reason, turn his back on life.”

“Life consists in the alternate process of learning and unlearning; but it is often wiser to unlearn than to learn.”

“I could give you no advice but this: to go into yourself and to explore the depths where your life wells forth.”