José Marti’s full name is José Julián Marti Pérez. He was born on January 28, 1853. He passed away on May 19, 1895. Jose Marti was a Cuban poet, essayist, journalist, translator, professor, and publisher, who is considered a national hero and an important figure in Latin American literature. He was educated at Complutense University of Madrid and University of Zaragoza.
It is difficult to comprehend how current sounds each of Jose Marti’s views on life written hundred years ago. In the world, where struggle is real, the legacy of Jose Marti continues to look up for humanity, liberty, and freedom, “guided by love.” The famous quotes are speaking for themselves:
“A grain of poetry suffices to season a century.”
“Liberty is the right of every man to be honest, to think and to speak without hypocrisy.”
“An insatiable appetite for glory leads to sacrifice and death, but innate instinct leads to self-preservation and life.”
“Like stones rolling down hills, fair ideas reach their objectives despite all obstacles and barriers. It may be possible to speed or hinder them, but impossible to stop them.”
“Men of action, above all those whose actions are guided by love, live forever.”
“Happiness exists on earth, and it is won through prudent exercise of reason, knowledge of the harmony of the universe, and constant practice of generosity.”
Ida Tomshinsky, Library Director
itomshinsky@fnu.edu