50 Vegan Quotes from Plant-Based Pioneers (Past and Present)

 First Up: The Early Birds

 

“I have from an early age abjured the use of meat, and the time will come when men such as I will look upon the murder of animals as they now look upon the murder of men.”

― Leonardo Da Vinci

 

“Non-violence leads to the highest ethics, which is the goal of all evolution. Until we stop harming all other living beings, we are still savages.”

― Thomas A. Edison

 

“By eating meat we share the responsibility of climate change, the destruction of our forests, and the poisoning of our air and water. The simple act of becoming a vegetarian will make a difference in the health of our planet.”

― Thích Nhất Hạnh

 

“Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.”

―  Albert Einstein

 

”Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food.”

―  Hippocrates

 

“One should not kill a living being, nor cause it to be killed, nor should one incite another to kill. Do not injure any being, either strong or weak, in the world.”

―  Buddha

 

“I hold that the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man”

―  Mohandas Gandhi

 

For as long as men massacre animals, they will kill each other. Indeed, he who sows the seed of murder and pain cannot reap joy and love.”

―  Pythagoras

 

“He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you.”

―  Friedrich Nietzsche

 

“The Gods created certain kinds of beings to replenish our bodies; they are the trees and the plants and the seeds.”

―  Plato

 

“Cows scream louder than carrots.”

―  Alan Watts

 

“A human body in no way resembles those that were born for ravenousness; it hath no hawk’s bill, no sharp talon, no roughness of teeth, no such strength of stomach or heat of digestion, as can be sufficient to convert or alter such heavy and fleshy fare.”

―  Plutarch

 

“We cannot have peace among men whose hearts find delight in killing any living creature.”

― Rachel Carson

 

“We know we cannot be kind to animals until we stop exploiting them — exploiting animals in the name of science, exploiting animals in the name of sport, exploiting animals in the name of fashion, and yes, exploiting animals in the name of food.”

― César Chávez

 

 

Vegan Quotes from Plant-Powered Athletes

“I always say that eating a plant based diet is the secret weapon of enhanced athletic performance.”

―  Rich Roll

 

“We can live as we were meant to live – simply, joyously, of and on the earth. We can live with all our effort and with pure happiness.”

― Scott Jurek

 

“Being vegan doesn’t make you a stronger, better athlete. But it allows you to make yourself a stronger, better athlete.”

―  Brendan Brazier

 

“As a vegan body-builder I want to show others that it is possible to gain significant muscle and strength on a vegan diet and I want to inspire others to follow this lifestyle. I love being vegan and knowing that I am having a positive impact on our society.”

―  Robert Cheeke

 

“If you truly care about animal rights and have a passion for it, take some action. Whether it’s hands-on or political, just go for it. No matter what path you choose in life or what you decide to do, you can use your voice to educate other people and help the cause.”

― Mac Danzig

 

“The vegan diet is healthy and leads to a compassionate lifestyle. I’ve gotten so many benefits. My weight is easily maintained, my skin glows, I sleep better and I feel more energized.”

―  Meagan Duhamel

 

“Nothing has benefited me more physically, mentally and most important spiritually, then adapting a vegan diet. The best decision I have made as a human for me and the planet.”

― Tim Shieff

 

“I thought I was healthy and strong before, but after adopting a plant-based diet, I started to feel energetic and I was having quicker recovery after training”

― Frank Medrano

“This is a message to all those out there who think that you need animal products to be fit and strong. Almost two years after becoming vegan I am stronger than ever before and I am still improving day by day.”

― Patrik Baboumian

 

“I’ve found that a person does not need protein from meat to be a successful athlete. In fact, my best year of track competition was the first year I ate a vegan diet.”

― Carl Lewis

 

“Initially, I just wanted to eat more vegetables. Those things are super good for you, and they’re delicious. Being vegetarian and vegan made me more conscious of how many servings I was getting a day (or not).”

― Michaela Copenhaver

 

“I decided to become a vegan because it was the right thing to do. I don’t believe God put these precious creatures here for us to exploit and murder. As a cancer survivor, I appreciate that a plant based diet is proven to be the best way to prevent cancer cells from growing. And the fact that I’m lean, strong and healthier than ever, well those are just very exciting perks!”

― Amanda Riester

 

“Don’t eat bear balls. Eat healthy, delectable, plant-based foods so that you will never fall over on your cat.”

― Rip Esselstyn

 

 

Vegan Doctors & Nutritionists  

“The beef industry has contributed to more American deaths than all the wars of this century, all natural disasters, and all auto-mobile accidents combined. If beef is your idea of “real food for real people” you’d better live real close to a real good hospital.”

― Neal D. Barnard

 

“The most ethical diet just so happens to be the most environmentally sound diet and just so happens to be the healthiest.”

― Dr. Michael Greger

 

“The human body has no more need for cows’ milk than it does for dogs’ milk, horses’ milk, or giraffes’ milk.”

― Dr. Michael Klaper

 

“People feel poorly because they are nourished by foods you wouldn’t feed to your dog and cat. The rich western diet is full of fat, sugar, cholesterol, salt, animal protein — all the wrong foods for people.” ― Dr. John McDougall

 

“Collectively the media; the meat, oil, and dairy industries; most prominent chefs and cookbook authors; and our own government are not presenting accurate advice about the healthiest way to eat.” ― Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn

 

“Everything in food works together to create health or disease. The more we think that a single chemical characterizes a whole food, the more we stray into idiocy.”

― T. Colin Campbell

 

“Food is really and truly the most effective medicine.”

― Joel Fuhrman

 

“My diet is a whole food, plant based or vegan diet. So, basically I want you to eat whole grains, legumes, tonnes of vegetables and fruits, nuts and seeds. No meat whatsoever, and no processed foods. It’s amazing what it can do for your body, and it reduces your risk for chronic disease.”

― Julianna Hever

 

“History has demonstrated that a diet of specific vegan foods, eaten in a specific caloric ratio, will meet all those criteria. For healing inflammatory bowel diseases, other gut disorders and most other illnesses, I have learned which are the most beneficial foods of all. Those food comprise what I call the Vegan Healing Diet.”

― Dr. David Klein

 

 

Finally, the Celebrity Vegan Quotes

“Even as a junkie I stayed true to vegetarianism – ‘I shall have heroin, but I shan’t have a hamburger.’ What a sexy little paradox.”

― Russell Brand

 

 

“If slaughterhouses had glass walls, the whole world would be vegetarian.”

― Linda McCartney

 

 

“I do it because I love animals and I saw the reality. And I just couldn’t ignore it anymore. I’m healthier for it, I’m happier for it. I can’t imagine that if you’re putting something in your body that is filled with fear or anxiety or pain, that that isn’t somehow going to be inside of you.”

― Ellen DeGeneres

 

 

“Every time sitting at a dining table, we make a choice. Please choose vegetarianism. Do it for the animals. Do it for the environment and for the sake of your own health.”

― Alec Baldwin

 

 

“Raw food is the best way to have the cleanest energy. We take so much care about what kind of fuel we put in our car, what kind of oil. We care about that sometimes more than the fuel that we’re looking at putting in our bodies. It’s cleaner burning fuel.”

― Woody Harrelson

 

 

“It takes nothing away from a human to be kind to an animal.”

― Joaquin Phoenix

 

 

“Basically we should stop doing those things that are destructive to the environment, other creatures, and ourselves and figure out new ways of existing.”

— Moby

 

 

“Initially, my decision to stop eating meat was motivated by fear of spiritual consequences, but right away I found that not eating meat made me feel good about myself. It increased my self-esteem, which I found so rewarding, I wanted to do more.”

― Steve-O

 

 

“Being vegan is not always easy and accessible. But it’s a way of life and makes me as a person feel really good and physically look better.”

― Olivia Wilde

 

 

“It’s upsetting to me that so many people think of themselves as environmentalists and still eat meat and dairy products. I think it’s something people should be considering given the emergency situation we’re in regarding water supplies, global warming, and the destruction of ecosystems. There’s a lot of overlap between animal rights and the environment.”

― Emily Deschanel

 

 

“I am a firm believer in eating a full plant-based, whole food diet that can expand your life length and make you an all-around happier person. It is tricky dining out, but I just stick to what I know — veggies, fruit and salad — then when I get home I’ll have something else.”

― Ariana Grande

 

 

“I’m a vegan. I respect the environment, and I do my best to spread the importance of such an issue.” ― Jared Leto

 

 

“Animals on factory farms all face pain and fear, just like the animals we share our homes with, yet are repeatedly abused in shocking ways.”

― Peter Dinklage