The death of Fidel Castro, socialist icon and symbol of resistance to the US, marks the end of an era for Cuba and beyond. Following Fidel’s passing, we look at the greatest quotes that made him one of the world’s most outspoken statesmen.

“A revolution is not a bed of roses. A revolution is a struggle to the death between the future and the past,” 1961, speech in Havana on the second anniversary of the Cuban revolution.

“I have a heart of steel,” 1972, a statement in response to media reports on alleged diagnosis of a heart condition.

“With what morality can the [US] leaders talk of human rights in a country where there are millionaires and beggars, where blacks face discrimination, women are prostituted, and great masses of Chicanos, Puerto Ricans and Latin Americans are deprecated, exploited and humiliated?” 1978, speech delivered to the World Communist Youth Conference.

“I reached the conclusion long ago that the one last sacrifice I must make for [Cuban] public health is to stop smoking. I haven't really missed it that much,” 1985, upon announcing he had stopped smoking cigars.

“I have concluded – maybe a little late – that speeches must be short,” 2000, in reference to his famous habit of making marathon speeches.

“Russia and China know the world’s problems much better than the US because they were obliged to endure the terrible wars imposed on them by fascism’s blind egoism. I have no doubt that they, given their historical traditions and revolutionary experience, will make the greatest effort to avoid war and contribute to the peaceful development of Venezuela, Latin America, Asia and Africa,” a 2015 letter to Venezuelan leader Nicholas Maduro.

“I am nearing 90. I will soon pass away like everyone else. The time will come for all of us, but the ideas of Cuban communists are an evidence that, in case if we work with pathos and dignity, we can produce material and cultural values people need,” a 2016 speech at a congress of the Cuban Communist Party.