There are no words invented yet to describe the incredible courage and determination of such a level. We can only try and describe it in his own words. That’s what this list of powerful Martin Luther King Jr. quotes will try to accomplish.
With all his achievements for human rights in this world, one can only wonder how influential a person can be. His words are fit not only for change on a large scale but also apply on a personal level. If we want to see change, we must start with ourselves. And these inspiring quotes might reach the depths of your heart and instill the will to change.
The sayings of Martin Luther King Jr. in this list speak of things that can still be applied today, how history has shaped us, and how to never back down from doing what’s right, as it’s something that will hurt your soul and leave small wounds. And those will eventually add up.
So dig into these quotes by Martin Luther King Jr, and let them motivate you for the better. Vote for your favorite ones and share the inspiration with those around you!
#1
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”
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#2
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”
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#3
"History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people."
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#4
"Mankind must put and end to war or war will put an end to mankind."
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#5
"Now there is a final reason I think that Jesus says, ‘Love your enemies.’ It is this: that love has within it a redemptive power. And there is a power there that eventually transforms individuals. Just keep being friendly to that person. Just keep loving them, and they can’t stand it too long. Oh, they react in many ways in the beginning. They react with guilt feelings, and sometimes they’ll hate you a little more at that transition period, but just keep loving them. And by the power of your love they will break down under the load. That’s love, you see. It is redemptive, and this is why Jesus says love. There’s something about love that builds up and is creative. There is something about hate that tears down and is destructive. So love your enemies."
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#6
“Let no man pull you so low as to hate him.”
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#7
"If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way."
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#8
“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”
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#9
"Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity."
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#10
“Only in the darkness can you see the stars.”
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#11
“Science investigates; religion interprets. Science gives man knowledge, which is power; religion gives man wisdom, which is control. Science deals mainly with facts; religion deals mainly with values. The two are not rivals.”
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#12
"We are not makers of history. We are made by history."
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#13
"A riot is the language of the unheard."
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#14
“Forgiveness is not an occasional act. It is a permanent attitude.”
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#15
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”
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#16
"Never, never be afraid to do what’s right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society’s punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way."
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#17
"He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it."
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#18
“People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.”
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#19
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
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#20
“We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of Now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy.”
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