Students must have initiative; they should not be mere imitators. They must learn to think and act for themselves – and be free.

Meaning of the quote

Students should take charge of their own learning and not just copy others. They need to learn to think for themselves and make their own decisions instead of just following what everyone else is doing. This way, they can be free to explore and grow in their own unique way.

About Cesar Chavez

Cesar Chavez was an American labor leader and civil rights activist who co-founded the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA), which later became the United Farm Workers (UFW) union. He was known for his nonviolent tactics, including pickets and boycotts, and his use of Catholic symbolism in his campaigns to improve the lives of farmworkers.

More about the author

More quotes from Cesar Chavez

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?

Cesar Chavez

American farm worker, labor leader, and civil rights activist (1927-1993)

Students must have initiative; they should not be mere imitators. They must learn to think and act for themselves – and be free.

Cesar Chavez

American farm worker, labor leader, and civil rights activist (1927-1993)

If you really want to make a friend, go to someone’s house and eat with him… the people who give you their food give you their heart.

Cesar Chavez

American farm worker, labor leader, and civil rights activist (1927-1993)

We need to help students and parents cherish and preserve the ethnic and cultural diversity that nourishes and strengthens this community – and this nation.

Cesar Chavez

American farm worker, labor leader, and civil rights activist (1927-1993)

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

Cesar Chavez

American farm worker, labor leader, and civil rights activist (1927-1993)

In some cases non-violence requires more militancy than violence.

Cesar Chavez

American farm worker, labor leader, and civil rights activist (1927-1993)

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

Cesar Chavez

American farm worker, labor leader, and civil rights activist (1927-1993)

There is no substitute for hard work, 23 or 24 hours a day. And there is no substitute for patience and acceptance.

Cesar Chavez

American farm worker, labor leader, and civil rights activist (1927-1993)

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

Cesar Chavez

American farm worker, labor leader, and civil rights activist (1927-1993)

You are never strong enough that you don’t need help.

Cesar Chavez

American farm worker, labor leader, and civil rights activist (1927-1993)

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.

Cesar Chavez

American farm worker, labor leader, and civil rights activist (1927-1993)

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.

Cesar Chavez

American farm worker, labor leader, and civil rights activist (1927-1993)

Our language is the reflection of ourselves. A language is an exact reflection of the character and growth of its speakers.

Cesar Chavez

American farm worker, labor leader, and civil rights activist (1927-1993)

Who gets the risks? The risks are given to the consumer, the unsuspecting consumer and the poor work force. And who gets the benefits? The benefits are only for the corporations, for the money makers.

Cesar Chavez

American farm worker, labor leader, and civil rights activist (1927-1993)

Preservation of one’s own culture does not require contempt or disrespect for other cultures.

Cesar Chavez

American farm worker, labor leader, and civil rights activist (1927-1993)