To me, the thing that is worse than death is betrayal.

I have never seen white people who would sit, who would, who would approach a solution to their own problems nonviolently or passively. It's only when they are so-called "fighting for the rights of Negroes" that they nonviolently, passively, and lovingly, you know, approach the situation.

Sitting at the table doesn’t make you a diner, unless you eat some of what’s on that plate. Being here in America doesn’t make you an American. Being born here in America doesn’t make you an American.

Nobody should teach the black man in America to turn the other cheek, unless someone is teaching the white man in America to turn the other cheek.

Who taught you to hate yourself?

If you have no critics you'll likely have no success.

... the young people are the ones who most quickly identify with the struggle and the necessity to eliminate the evil conditions that exist.