“Without those years we had to educate, sow ideas, build awareness, instill feelings of solidarity and a generous internationalist spirit, our people would not have had the strength to resist.”
“ Since January 1, 1959, Cuba has been, is, and will continue to be free forever. Its capacity for struggle and resistance, its profound political culture, and the awareness and courage of its people demonstrate that the Cuban Revolution, with its devotion to justice and its noble objectives, has created such a spirit of solidarity and heroism and has become so deeply rooted in the heart of the homeland that it has been rendered invincible.”
“When a genuine Revolution has been consolidated and when ideas and consciousness have begun to bear fruit no man is indispensable, no matter how important his personal contribution may have been.”
“Let’s plant ideas, and there will be no need for all the weapons created by this barbaric civilization; let’s plant ideas, and the irreparable destruction of our natural habitat will be prevented.”
“Honor is not negotiable; the homeland is not negotiable; dignity is not negotiable; independence, sovereignty, history and glory are not negotiable!”In the closing ceremony of the first International Congress on Culture and Development
“In Cuba we have never cultivated hatred against the American people or blamed them for the aggressions perpetrated by the governments of that country. That would have run contrary to our political doctrines and our internationalist conscience, both well-proven throughout many years, and increasingly rooted in our ideas.”
“That is man’s marvellous virtue, that he is capable of giving it all, of giving his life, of giving all for an idea, for a cause, for a noble sentiment, for a spirit of solidarity.”
“If gold were able to do more than ideals, our homeland would be lost, because gold is what our enemies have a lot of, to buy conscience. But nevertheless, all our enemies’ gold is not enough to buy the conscience of a revolutionary!”
“We, in our country, have a concept: all our young people must be prepared to lead the country, all our young people must be prepared to defend the homeland. All of our young people, as their primary duty, must learn to read and write, all of them must acquire a revolutionary conscience.”
“Man’s consciousness does not determine the objective conditions. It is the other way around. Only after grasping this can we speak of revolution. Beautiful words, needed to convey ideas, do not suffice; profound reflection is needed.”