“Above all, always be capable of feeling deeply any injustice committed against anyone, anywhere in the world. This is the most beautiful quality in a revolutionary.”
- June 14, 1928 – October 9, 1967
- Born in Argentina
- Revolutionary, doctor, writer, politician
- He led the Cuban Revolution to success and is known as an international symbol of anti-imperialistism.
Quote
“Above all, always be capable of feeling deeply any injustice committed against anyone, anywhere in the world. This is the most beautiful quality in a revolutionary.”
Explanation
In this quote, Che Guevara emphasizes the importance of empathy and solidarity in revolutionary work. For Guevara, a true revolutionary does not limit their compassion or sense of justice to their own people or their own struggle but is capable of feeling the pain of any oppressed individual, anywhere in the world. This ability to empathize with others’ suffering—whether in the form of political oppression, economic exploitation, or social injustice—is seen as the highest moral quality for someone committed to social transformation. Guevara’s ideal revolutionary is not just motivated by self-interest or national loyalty, but by a universal sense of justice that transcends borders and cultures. His words reflect the idea that revolutionary consciousness must be global, recognizing that injustice is interconnected and that solidarity among the oppressed is key to achieving global change.
Guevara’s own life and activism were deeply shaped by this principle of internationalism. Throughout his revolutionary career, he fought not only for the liberation of Cuba but also for the freedom of oppressed people across the globe, from Latin America to Africa. He believed that the struggles of the working class and the colonized nations were all part of a larger, interconnected movement against imperialism and capitalist exploitation. His participation in revolutionary activities in the Congo and later in Bolivia reflected his commitment to the idea that revolutionary solidarity must cross national boundaries, and that any injustice in one part of the world is an injustice to all.
In a modern context, this quote resonates deeply with global justice movements that seek to address issues such as human rights violations, racial inequality, environmental destruction, and refugee crises. Guevara’s vision of a revolutionary is one who not only stands up for the suffering of those within their own community but connects the dots between various forms of injustice happening around the world. For example, in today’s climate justice movements, activists understand that the destruction of the environment disproportionately affects the poorest communities globally, often those in the Global South. Guevara’s emphasis on the revolutionary’s ability to feel deeply for all forms of injustice serves as a powerful reminder that compassion and solidarity are essential to any meaningful and lasting social change.
