Emiliano Zapata

Emiliano Zapata (1879–1919) was a leading figure in the Mexican Revolution and a foremost advocate for agrarian reform, commanding the Liberation Army of the South and drafting the Plan de Ayala. He became a lasting symbol of peasant struggle and was assassinated in 1919; the quote expresses his commitment to dignity and resistance.

Quotes by Emiliano Zapata

Quotes: 1

It is better to die on one's feet than to live on one's knees. — Emiliano Zapata

Choosing Dignity Over Submission: Zapata’s Enduring Creed

Bringing the idea home, most of us will not face firing squads, but we do confront pressures to kneel—falsify numbers, stay silent about harm, accept degrading norms. Whistleblowers like Sherron Watkins at Enron (2001) and Frances Haugen at Facebook (2021) illustrate a civilian version of standing: risking career and comfort to preserve integrity and protect others. Practically, this creed invites a method—clarify nonnegotiables, build allies, document truth, and accept proportionate risks. In doing so, we honor Zapata’s spirit without courting needless ruin: we live on our feet by designing courage that others can join and carry forward. [...]

Created on: 11/2/2025