Some words of Fidel Castro that I find compelling:
One. I believe that from the moment a person begins to destroy themselves, there is no meaning left in continuing to live beyond that point.
Two. Condemn me, I care not: History will absolve me.
Three. Man does not shape destiny—destiny shapes man according to its own needs, molding him in its own image.
Four. I have never seen the Himalayas, but I have seen Sheikh Mujib. In personality and courage, this man is the Himalayas! So seeing him has given me the experience of seeing the Himalayas.
Five. Today, after all these years, I have come to this conclusion: among all the mistakes we have made so far, the greatest mistake has been this—we simply assumed that at least someone truly knew something about socialism, or truly knew how to build socialism.
Six. When I was young, my father taught me how to be a good orthodox Christian. I was told that if I ever had any improper thoughts about a girl, that very evening I should run to the church, confess my sin, and ask God’s forgiveness. For one week I followed my father’s instructions. Then I realized that anything else might be for me, but not religion.
Seven. Human beings are naturally self-centered. Only education can lift them out of that mold and endow them with various virtues.
Eight. No, I won’t vote for the mayor. My anger isn’t just that he didn’t invite me to dinner. On the way from the airport to the city, I saw countless potholes in the roads. One cannot vote for such an incompetent person.
Nine. I started the revolution with 82 people. If I were to begin this today, I would take 10-15 people with me. What I would add to that is: profound faith. No matter how small you are, if you have faith in yourself and the right plan, you will surely triumph.
Ten. The arsenals of the wealthy are increasingly filled with weapons. The world’s powerful can easily kill the uneducated, the sick, the poor, and the hungry, but they lack the power to kill ignorance, disease, poverty, or hunger itself.
Eleven. I am not attached to anything. Only when I see something that strikes me as my duty do I become attached to doing it. My wish is to die while fulfilling my responsibilities.
Twelve. The quality of life depends on knowledge and culture. Values determine life’s excellence. In life, values are worth far more than food, shelter, and clothing.
Thirteen. Much is said about human rights, but it’s equally urgent to speak of humanity’s rights. Why should some people walk barefoot so that others can ride in expensive cars? Why should some die at thirty-five while others live to seventy? Why must some be kept in abject poverty for the rest to become exceedingly wealthy? I speak for those children of the world who cannot get even a morsel of bread. I speak for those sick people who receive no medicine, for those who cannot live with the basic dignity that is their birthright as human beings.
Fourteen. (Speaking about why Cuba has the highest literacy rate) Our student-teacher ratio is the lowest in the world, and we spend five times more on schools than we do on war—which the United States does not.
Fifteen. Throughout my life, I have always fought for what is true, not for what is just.
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had said to Castro, “I wanted to meet you for many reasons. The most important among them is this: you are a very courageous man.”
May Castro live on.
May honest revolution live on.