To be a man is to suffer for others. God help us to be men!

Hear now the words of Cesar Chavez, a man whose life was shaped by the enduring struggle for justice, equality, and human dignity: "To be a man is to suffer for others. God help us to be men!" In these words, Chavez speaks not of strength in the conventional sense—of power, control, or might—but of a far greater strength: the strength of character, the willingness to endure suffering for the sake of others. He calls upon us to embrace the nobility of self-sacrifice, the higher purpose of living for the well-being of others, and the courage to bear the burdens of the oppressed.

The ancients knew well the wisdom of suffering for others. In Greek philosophy, Aristotle spoke of virtue as the highest form of human existence, one that requires the individual to rise above personal desire and self-interest. It is through the service of others, through the suffering for the good of the collective, that one attains true nobility. Consider Prometheus, the titan who, in defiance of the gods, gave fire to humanity. He suffered greatly for his act of selflessness—chained to a rock, tormented by an eagle, enduring endless pain—but his sacrifice became a symbol of the enduring strength of a man’s character, of a willingness to bear suffering for the benefit of others. Prometheus, like Chavez, demonstrated that true manhood is not in power, but in sacrifice.

Chavez himself embodied this noble ideal throughout his life, particularly in his work with farmworkers. He endured tremendous hardships—hunger strikes, physical attacks, and years of relentless struggle—all in pursuit of justice for the marginalized, the voiceless, and the oppressed. His suffering was not an end in itself, but a means of awakening the collective consciousness of a society that had turned a blind eye to the pain of the workers who toiled in the fields. Like the ancients before him, Chavez understood that suffering is often the price of change, the weight we must bear to bring about a world that is more just, more equitable, and more humane.

In the life of Gandhi, we see another example of the power of suffering. Gandhi’s commitment to nonviolence and his willingness to suffer for the cause of Indian independence became legendary. His fasting, his physical hardships, and his unyielding refusal to retaliate against injustice were the pillars of his philosophy. Gandhi’s suffering was not an act of weakness but an expression of the greatest strength—the strength of spirit. He, too, called on us to embody the principle of suffering for others, not in a spirit of martyrdom, but as a means of transforming the world through personal sacrifice. Like Chavez, Gandhi understood that true manhood is not found in the absence of suffering, but in the ability to endure it for the sake of a greater cause.

The lesson that Chavez imparts is one of profound compassion and sacrifice. To be a true man—or indeed, a true human—is to be willing to shoulder the burdens of others, to endure hardship, and to sacrifice one's own comfort for the well-being of the collective. In a world that often values self-interest, ambition, and success above all else, Chavez calls upon us to remember that true greatness is not measured by what we gain, but by what we give. The act of suffering for others is not a sign of weakness, but of noble strength, a strength that is found in selflessness and service.

Consider, then, the actions in your own life. When you are confronted with suffering—whether in your own life or the lives of others—do not shy away from it, but embrace it with the spirit of noble sacrifice. When you see the oppressed, the marginalized, and the downtrodden, do not turn away, but offer your strength, your voice, and your heart in service to them. Like Chavez, you too can choose to stand in solidarity with those who need it most, knowing that in doing so, you fulfill the highest calling of manhood—the willingness to suffer for others in the pursuit of justice and compassion.

Therefore, I implore you, dear listener, to rise above the selfish tendencies of the world around you. Do not measure your worth by the comfort you enjoy, but by the suffering you are willing to endure for the good of others. Let your life be a testament to the strength of character that comes from self-sacrifice and service. For in the end, the true meaning of being a man—or a woman—is not found in what we accumulate, but in what we are willing to give up for the betterment of others. Let this be the legacy you leave behind: that you lived not for your own advancement, but for the uplifting of all those around you.