"I began revolution with 82 men. If I had to do it again, I do it with 10 or 15 and absolute faith. It does not matter how small you are if you have faith and plan of action."
About Fidel Castro
Fidel Castro — Life and Legacy
Fidel Castro, the iconic leader of the Cuban Revolution, is recognized for his profound impact on Cuba and global politics. His commitment to socialism and anti-imperialism shaped his governance and ideology, as seen in his famous declaration, 'Revolution is not a bed of roses.' This quote encapsulates his understanding that true change requires sacrifice and resilience against entrenched powers. Castro's worldview was rooted in the belief that freedom is inseparable from the struggle for justice, as he articulated in his assertion that 'The duty of a revolutionary is to make the revolution.' Castro's rhetoric often challenged the status quo, advocating for the rights of oppressed nations against imperialism. His statement, 'History will absolve me,' reflects his confidence in the moral justification of his actions and the belief that future generations would recognize the significance of his revolutionary efforts. His quotes resonate with themes of sovereignty, collective struggle, and the necessity of confronting oppressive systems. Today, Castro's words continue to inspire discussions on revolution and freedom, serving as a reminder of the complexities involved in the pursuit of social justice. His legacy remains a point of contention, yet his quotes provide insight into a vision that sought to redefine power dynamics in the face of colonialism and exploitation.
Quote collection
Fidel Castro quotes (page 1 of 6)
113 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"Capitalism has neither the capacity, nor the morality, nor the ethics to solve the problems of poverty."
"With what moral authority can they speak of human rights - the rulers of a nation in which the millionaire and beggar coexist; the Indian is exterminated; the black man is discriminated against; the woman is prostituted; and the great masses of Chicanos, Puerto Ricans, and Latin Americans are scorned, exploited, and humiliated? How can they do this - the bosses of an empire where the mafia, gambling, and child prostitution are imposed; where the CIA organizes plans of global subversion and espionage, and the Pentagon creates neutron bombs capable of preserving material assets and wiping out human beings."
"Condemn me, it does not matter: history will absolve me."
"We must establish a new world order based on justice, on equity, and on peace."
"One of the greatest benefits of the revolution is that even our prostitutes are college graduates."
"It does not matter how small you are if you have faith and a plan of action."
"Why do some people have to go barefoot so that others can drive luxury cars? Why are some people able to live only 35 years in order that others can live 70 years? Why do some people have to be miserably poor in order that others can be extravagantly rich? I speak for all the children in the world who don't even have a piece of bread."
"If surviving assassination attempts were an Olympic event, I would win the gold medal."
"If we wish to express what we want the men of future generations to be, we must say: Let them be like Che! If we wish to say how we want our children to be educated, we must say without hesitation: We want them to be educated in Che’s spirit! If we want the model of a man, who does not belong to our times but to the future, I say from the depths of my heart that such a model, without a single stain on his conduct, without a single stain on his action, is Che!"
"...quality of life lies in knowledge, in culture. Values are what constitute true quality of life, the supreme quality of life, even above food, shelter and clothing."
"The first thing dictators do is finish free press, to establish censorship. There is no doubt that a free press is the first enemy of dictatorship."
"There is talk of the failure of socialism, and where is the success of capitalism in Africa, Asia, and in Latin America?"
"I've always considered Christ to be one of the greatest revolutionaries in the history of humanity."
"Ideas do not need weapons."
"Good athletes do not know what tiredness is. They do not know what discouragement is. Good athletes only know what victory is."
"We are not politicians. We made our revolution to get the politicians out."
"A large percentage of those living in developed societies are told what brand of soda they should drink, what cigarettes they should smoke, what clothes and shoes they should wear, what they should eat and what brand of food they should buy. Their political ideas are supplied in the same way. Every year a trillion dollars is spent on advertising."
"Men do not shape destiny. Destiny produces the man for the hour."
"A revolution is a struggle to the death between the future and the past."