If we are really honest with ourselves, we must admit that our lives are all that really belong to us, so it is how we use our lives that determines what kind of persons we are. And 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 humanity, is to sacrifice ourselves for something higher--that which we believe in and love deeply.
Cesar Chavez
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
Oh boy. As much as I don't want to be That Guy… This strikes me as a very dangerous, very extreme way of thinking. I applaud anyone with powerful convictions and the courage to stand up for those beliefs, but there are other and better ways of changing the world than choosing martyrdom. "Only by giving our lives do we find life." - No, not only. Sacrificing oneself can be noble, but only as the strictest of last resorts. Courage is beautiful, but the preservation and love of life are truly high causes.
ReplyDeleteDemion - Is it possible that Cesar Chavez, in this quote, could be referring to something other than martyrdom? My belief is that "giving our lives" includes giving all of who we are, including our gifts, talents, resources, experience, knowledge, etc to causes greater than ourselves. And in doing so, we "find life." It's in that crucible of giving of oneself, that we become the better version of ourselves, over and over again.
DeleteCourage is beautiful, it's extremely beautiful and the pursuit of love, truth, justice, compassion, mercy,... that are truly the high causes. To Cesar's point, as much as we have the choice to live out these lives we have, ultimately, I'm not sure our lives are not really ours.