Violence as a way of achieving racial justice is both impractical and immoral. I am not unmindful of the fact that violence often brings about momentary results. Nations have frequently won their independence in battle. But in spite of temporary victories, violence never brings permanent peace.

We must accept finite disappointment but we must never lose infinite hope.

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.

If a man hasn't discovered something that he will die for he isn't fit to live.

We must constantly build dykes of courage to hold back the flood of fear.

Human Salvation lies in the hands of the creatively maladjusted.

Hatred paralyzes life love releases it. Hatred confuses life love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life love illumines it.

Agape is disinterested love. . . . Agape does not begin by discriminating between worthy and unworthy people or any qualities people possess. It begins by loving others for their sakes. . . . Therefore agape makes no distinction between friend and enemy it is directed toward both.

Don't hate it's too big a burden to bear.

If a man hasn't discovered something that he will die for he isn't fit to live.

Without love benevolence becomes egotism.

I want to be the white man's brother not his brother-in-law.

Riots are the voices of the unheard.

If a man is called to be a streetsweep-er he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say here lived a great streetsweeper who did his job well.

The means by which we live have outdistanced the ends for which we live. Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men.

The time is always right to do what is right.

Non-violence is a powerful and just weapon. It is a weapon unique in history which cuts without wounding and enobles the man who wields it. It is a sword that heals.

If a man is called to be a streetsweep-er he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say here lived a great streetsweeper who did his job well.

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.