“Passion is needed for any great work, and for the revolution, passion and audacity are required in big doses.”
- 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
“Passion is needed for any great work, and for the revolution, passion and audacity are required in big doses.”
Explanation
In this quote, Che Guevara speaks to the central role of passion and audacity in achieving revolutionary goals. Guevara believed that revolutionary change could not be accomplished by cold, detached calculation alone. Instead, it requires a deep emotional commitment to the cause—something that goes beyond rational strategy to include the intensity of belief and the willingness to take risks. Passion, for Guevara, is the driving force behind any significant effort, whether it’s in art, science, or social change. When it comes to revolution, however, he argues that these emotions must be matched by audacity, the courage to act boldly and challenge the status quo, even in the face of overwhelming opposition.
For Guevara, passion and audacity were not just qualities of the individual revolutionary, but essential elements of the collective revolutionary spirit. Revolution, in his view, required collective commitment, not just from leaders but from the masses. The people must be as passionate and bold in their actions as the guerrilla fighters leading them. Guevara’s own life was a testament to this principle. From his early experiences in Latin America, to his role in the Cuban Revolution, and his later revolutionary work in Bolivia, Guevara himself embodied these qualities of intense passion and unflinching audacity. His belief in the necessity of radical change drove him to take on challenges that many saw as impossible, from fighting against powerful imperial forces to organizing uprisings in unfamiliar regions.
In modern terms, Guevara’s call for passion and audacity speaks to the need for fervor and bravery in today’s social movements. Whether it’s advocating for racial justice, climate change action, gender equality, or economic reform, movements that truly seek to change the world are often met with intense resistance from powerful interests. In such contexts, Guevara’s words remind activists and leaders that meaningful change requires both an emotional connection to the cause and the courage to challenge entrenched systems of power. Passion and audacity give people the strength to persist in the face of adversity, and the boldness to take the kind of actions that can lead to revolutionary transformation.
