Fidel Castro's greatest quotes

Revolutionary Cuban icon Fidel Castro, who defied the United States for nearly half a century, and governed Cuba as Prime Minister from 1959 to 1976, died on Saturday at the age of 90.

Revolutionary Cuban icon Fidel Castro, who defied the United States for nearly half a century, and governed Cuba as the Prime Minister from 1959 to 1976, died on Saturday at he age of 90.

Castro had held onto power longer than any other living national leader except Queen Elizabeth II and dominated his country with strength and symbolism from the day he triumphantly entered Havana on Jan. 8, 1959.

Here are some of his famous quotes that would contiue to inspire generations to come:

*A revolution is a struggle to the death between the future and the past.

*They talk about the failure of socialism but where is the success of capitalism in Africa, Asia and Latin America?

*I find capitalism repugnant. It is filthy, it is gross, it is alienating... because it causes war, hypocrisy and competition

*"I began the revolution with 82 men. If I had to do it again, I would do it with 10 or 15 and absolute faith. It does not matter how small you are if you have faith and a plan of action." -- Castro in 1959

*"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." -- Castro in December 1985 upon announcing he had stopped smoking cigars.

*"I began the revolution with 82 men. If I had to do it again, I would do it with 10 or 15 and absolute faith. It does not matter how small you are if you have faith and a plan of action." -- Castro in 1959.

* "I'm really happy to reach 80. I never expected it, not least having a neighbour, the greatest power in the world, trying to kill me every day," he said on July 21, 2006 while attending a summit of Latin American presidents in Argentina.

Castro was born on August 13 1926 in Biran, a small town in eastern Cuba. His father a wealthy Spanish sugarcane farmer came to the Island during the Cuban war of independence.

Castro was responsible for abolishing legal discrimination. He brought electricity to the country side and also provided for employment and health care.

He was however harsh on newspapers run by opposition leaders and even jailed several of his opponents. He also limited the amount of land a person could own and also abolished private businesses.

In 2006 he temporarily gave control to his brother Raul as he had to undergo an intestinal surgery. In 2008 her permanently resigned and handed complete charge to his brother.

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