“The world will always need revolution. That doesn’t mean shooting and violence. A revolution is when you change your thinking. Confucianism and Christianity were both revolutionary.”
- May 20, 1935 – May 13, 2025
- Uruguayan
- Politician, Former President of Uruguay, Former Guerrilla Fighter, Advocate for Simple Living
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Quote
“The world will always need revolution. That doesn’t mean shooting and violence. A revolution is when you change your thinking. Confucianism and Christianity were both revolutionary.”
Explanation
In this quote, José Mujica redefines the concept of revolution, moving it beyond its typical association with violence and political upheaval. He asserts that true revolution begins in the mind, through a fundamental shift in how we perceive and live in the world. By citing Confucianism and Christianity as examples, he emphasizes that some of the most transformative changes in human history have been moral, philosophical, or spiritual, not necessarily physical confrontations.
The statement “The world will always need revolution” speaks to the constant need for renewal and re-evaluation of our values, particularly in times of crisis or stagnation. Mujica is suggesting that societies must continuously evolve—not by force, but by rethinking what matters, how we relate to each other, and how we organize our lives. His interpretation of revolution aligns with his own life philosophy: modesty, empathy, and ethical simplicity over material ambition.
In today’s polarized and consumer-driven world, this quote is a call for inner revolution as the first step toward collective progress. Whether addressing environmental degradation, inequality, or spiritual emptiness, Mujica encourages a deeper transformation—changing hearts and minds as a foundation for changing systems. It is a peaceful yet radical challenge to complacency, urging us to seek revolutions not just in government, but in consciousness.
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