Ernesto "Che" Guevara was a revolutionary leader, guerrilla fighter, and iconic figure of the 20th century.
His enduring legacy continues to inspire people around the world, particularly through his powerful and thought-provoking quotes.
In this article, we will explore some of Che Guevara's most inspirational quotes and what they mean for us today.
Table of Contents
Che Guevara's Most Inspirational Quotes
The true revolutionary is guided by great feelings of love.
- Che Guevara
This quote speaks to the importance of compassion and empathy in revolutionary action. Che believed that true revolutionaries were motivated by a deep love for their fellow human beings and a desire to create a better world for all.
I am not a liberator. Liberators do not exist. The people liberate themselves.
- Che Guevara
This quote emphasizes the importance of collective action and the power of the people to create change. Che believed that true liberation could only come from the efforts of the people themselves, working together towards a common goal.
The revolution is not an apple that falls when it is ripe. You have to make it fall.
- Che Guevara
This quote speaks to the need for active and intentional effort in creating revolutionary change. Che believed that revolution did not happen spontaneously or by chance, but required deliberate action and sacrifice from those involved.
Let the world change you and you can change the world.
- Che Guevara
This quote emphasizes the importance of personal growth and transformation in creating broader societal change. Che believed that by changing ourselves and our own perspectives, we can become agents of positive change in the world.
The first duty of a revolutionary is to be educated.
- Che Guevara
This quote speaks to the importance of knowledge and education in revolutionary action. Che believed that in order to be effective agents of change, revolutionaries needed to have a deep understanding of the world around them and the systems of oppression they sought to challenge.
The true revolutionary is a guide, not a hero.
- Che Guevara
This quote speaks to the importance of leadership in revolutionary action. Che believed that true revolutionaries were not simply heroic figures who acted alone, but were instead guides who worked to inspire and empower others to join in the struggle for liberation.
Our every action is a battle cry against imperialism, and a battle hymn for the people's unity against the great enemy of mankind: the United States of America.
- Che Guevara
This quote speaks to the deep-seated anti-imperialism and anti-American sentiment that characterized much of Che Guevara's revolutionary ideology. While his views on this subject may be controversial, this quote highlights the fierce passion and commitment that drove Che and other revolutionaries in their fight for liberation.
At the risk of seeming ridiculous, let me say that the true revolutionary is guided by a great feeling of love.
- Che Guevara
This quote echoes Che's earlier quote about love, highlighting the centrality of this value to his vision of revolutionary action. Che believed that love was not simply a personal feeling, but a powerful force that could drive social and political transformation.
We must carry the war into every corner the enemy happens to carry it: to his home, to his centers of entertainment; a total war...it is necessary to prevent him from having a moment of peace, a quiet moment outside his barracks or even inside; we must attack him wherever he may be, make him feel like a cornered beast wherever he may move.
- Che Guevara
This quote speaks to the guerrilla tactics that Che and other revolutionaries employed in their fight against imperialist powers. While these tactics may be controversial and morally complex, they underscore the fierce determination and commitment of those who fought for liberation.
The revolution is made through human beings, but individuals must forge their revolutionary spirit day by day.
- Che Guevara
This quote highlights the importance of personal transformation and growth in revolutionary action. Che believed that while the revolution was a collective effort, it ultimately depended on the individual efforts of each person to develop their own revolutionary spirit and commitment to the cause.
We must strive every day so that this love of living humanity will be transformed into actual deeds, into acts that serve as examples, as a moving force.
- Che Guevara
This quote speaks to the importance of translating our values and beliefs into concrete action. Che believed that it was not enough to simply espouse a love for humanity, but that we must actively work to embody this love in our actions and behaviors.
A true revolutionary is guided by great feelings of love.
- Che Guevara
This quote reiterates Che's earlier emphasis on the importance of love in revolutionary action. For Che, love was not simply a personal emotion, but a powerful force that could drive collective action and social change.
If you tremble with indignation at every injustice then you are a comrade of mine.
- Che Guevara
This quote speaks to the importance of moral outrage and indignation in fueling revolutionary action. Che believed that those who were deeply moved by the injustices and inequalities of the world were natural allies in the struggle for liberation.
I know you've come to kill me. Shoot, coward, you are only going to kill a man.
- Che Guevara
This quote was reportedly spoken by Che to his executioner shortly before he was killed. It speaks to his courage and conviction in the face of death, and underscores the sacrifices that many revolutionaries were willing to make in pursuit of their ideals.
Silence is argument carried out by other means.
- Che Guevara
This quote highlights the power of silence and nonverbal communication in political and social discourse. Che believed that even when we are not speaking, we are still conveying a message through our actions and our presence.
The true revolutionary is guided by a great feeling of love. It is impossible to think of a genuine revolutionary lacking this quality.
- Che Guevara
This quote reiterates Che's earlier emphasis on the importance of love in revolutionary action. He believed that love was not just a personal feeling, but a crucial force that drove collective action and social change.
The revolution is not an apple that falls when it is ripe. You have to make it fall.
- Che Guevara
This quote highlights the active role that revolutionaries must play in bringing about social and political change. Che believed that the revolution could not simply be waited for or expected to happen on its own, but that it required deliberate and concerted effort.
The first duty of a revolutionary is to be educated.
- Che Guevara
This quote underscores the importance of education in revolutionary action. Che believed that revolutionary leaders must be well-informed and intellectually curious in order to effectively lead and inspire others.
I don't care if I fall as long as someone else picks up my gun and keeps on shooting.
- Che Guevara
This quote speaks to the selflessness and commitment of many revolutionary leaders. Che believed that the struggle for liberation was bigger than any individual, and that it was the duty of each generation to carry on the fight.
The true revolutionary is guided by a great feeling of love. It is impossible to think of a genuine revolutionary lacking this quality.
- Che Guevara
This quote reiterates Che's earlier emphasis on the importance of love in revolutionary action. For him, love was not just a personal emotion, but a powerful force that could drive collective action and social change.
If you want to be a revolutionary, be it for the right reasons.
- Che Guevara
This quote speaks to the importance of motivation and intention in revolutionary action. Che believed that true revolutionaries must be guided by a genuine desire to bring about social and political change, rather than personal gain or power.
Better to die standing than to live on your knees.
- Che Guevara
This quote highlights the importance of courage and dignity in the face of oppression. Che believed that it was better to stand up for one's ideals, even if it meant risking one's life, than to live in submission to tyranny.
The revolution is not an apple that falls when it is ripe. You have to make it fall.
- Che Guevara
This quote underscores the active role that revolutionaries must play in bringing about social and political change. Che believed that the revolution could not simply be waited for or expected to happen on its own, but that it required deliberate and concerted effort.
Let the world change you and you can change the world.
- Che Guevara
This quote highlights the reciprocal relationship between personal transformation and social change. Che believed that individuals who were willing to challenge their own assumptions and beliefs could become powerful agents of positive change in the world.
The walls of the educational system must come down. Education should not be a privilege, so the children of those who have money can study.
- Che Guevara
This quote speaks to Che's commitment to social justice and equality. He believed that education was a fundamental human right that should be accessible to all, regardless of economic or social status.
Conclusion
Che Guevara's quotes continue to inspire and challenge us today, reminding us of the power of collective action, compassion, and education in creating a better world.
While his methods and ideology may be controversial, his enduring legacy serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for social justice and equality.
By embodying the principles of love, education, and collective action, we can honor the spirit of Che Guevara and continue to work towards a more just and equitable society.