The greatest mistake of the movement has been trying to organize a sleeping people around specific goals. You have to wake the people up first, then you'll get action.

You're not supposed to be so blind with patriotism that you can't face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who says it.

The same as in a German neighborhood, the stores are run by Germans, and in a Chinese neighborhood they're run by Chinese. In the negro neighborhood the businesses should be owned and operated by Negroes and, thereby, they would be creating employment for Negroes.

We have a common enemy. We have this in common: We have a common oppressor, a common exploiter, and a common discriminator. But once we all realize that we have this common enemy, then we unite on the basis of what we have in common. And what we have foremost in common is that enemy - the white man. He's an enemy to all of us. I know some of you all think that some of them aren't enemies. Time will tell.

No president ever had more power than [Franklin Delano] Roosevelt.

Mankind's history has proved from one era to another that the true criterion of leadership is spiritual. Men are attracted by spirit. By power, men are forced. Love is engendered by spirit. By power anxieties are created.

[At a young age] I had learned enough about women to know not to pressure them when they're thinking something out; they'll tell you when they're ready.