Martin Luther King Jr.

martin luther king jr quotes

Martin Luther King Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an American Baptist minister who led civil right movements from 1955 until his assassination in 1968. He became one of most visible spokesperson and leader against racial discrimination. As Martin was inspired by the Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolence, he is best known for advancing civil rights through nonviolence and civil disobedience.

Martin won the Nobel Peace Prize for combating racial inequality through nonviolent resistance in October 14, 1964. On April 4, 1968 he was assassinated by James Earl Ray in Memphis, Tennessee. Although, the work that he had accomplished for civil rights and equality before his death had changed the nation forever.

Martin Luther King Jr. Quotes

I have a dream that one day little black boys and girls will be holding hands with little white boys and girls.
I have a dream that one day little black boys and girls will be holding hands with little white boys and girls.
- Martin Luther King Jr.
Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a constant attitude.
Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a constant attitude.
- Martin Luther King Jr.
If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.
If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.
- Martin Luther King Jr.
A riot is the language of the unheard.
A riot is the language of the unheard.
- Martin Luther King Jr.
The Negro needs the white man to free him from his fears.
The Negro needs the white man to free him from his fears. The white man needs the Negro to free him from his guilt.
- Martin Luther King Jr.
It is not enough to say we must not wage war....
It is not enough to say we must not wage war. It is necessary to love peace and sacrifice for it.
- Martin Luther King Jr.
At the center of non-violence stands the principle of love.
At the center of non-violence stands the principle of love.
- Martin Luther King Jr.
We are not makers of history. We are made by history.
We are not makers of history. We are made by history.
- Martin Luther King Jr.
I am not interested in power for power’s sake....
I am not interested in power for power’s sake, but I’m interested in power that is moral, that is right and that is good.
- Martin Luther King Jr.
There can be no deep disappointment where there is not deep love
There can be no deep disappointment where there is not deep love.
- Martin Luther King Jr.
A right delayed is a right denied
A right delayed is a right denied.
- Martin Luther King Jr.
Even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream.
Even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream.
- Martin Luther King Jr.
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
- Martin Luther King Jr.
I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin...
I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.
- Martin Luther King Jr.
Let no man pull you so low as to hate him
Let no man pull you so low as to hate him.
- Martin Luther King Jr.
All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and ...
All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.
- Martin Luther King Jr.
When you are right you cannot be too radical...
When you are right you cannot be too radical; when you are wrong, you cannot be too conservative.
- Martin Luther King Jr.
Everything that we see is a shadow cast by that which we do not see
Everything that we see is a shadow cast by that which we do not see.
- Martin Luther King Jr.
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
- Martin Luther King Jr.
Life's most persistent and urgent question is - What are you doing for others?
Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, “What are you doing for others?”
- Martin Luther King Jr.
That old law about 'an eye for an eye' leaves everybody blind.
That old law about ‘an eye for an eye’ leaves everybody blind. The time is always right to do the right thing.
- Martin Luther King Jr.
There is nothing more tragic than to find an individual bogged down in the length of life...
There is nothing more tragic than to find an individual bogged down in the length of life, devoid of breadth.
- Martin Luther King Jr.
A man can’t ride your back unless it’s bent.
A man can’t ride your back unless it’s bent.
- Martin Luther King Jr.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
- Martin Luther King Jr.
We must use time creatively...
We must use time creatively, in the knowledge that the time is always ripe to do right.
- Martin Luther King Jr.
Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of....
Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.
- Martin Luther King Jr.
We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.
We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.
- Martin Luther King Jr.
You can kill the dreamer, but you can’t kill the dream.
You can kill the dreamer, but you can’t kill the dream.
- Martin Luther King Jr.
Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity
Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.
- Martin Luther King Jr.