It is better to be the recipient of violence than the inflicter of it, since the latter only multiplies the existence of violence and bitterness in the universe, while the former may develop a sense of shame in the opponent, and thereby bring about a transformation and change of heart.

Never could I advocate nonviolence in this country and not advocate nonviolence for the whole world.

Don't let anybody take your manhood.

Whenever men and women straighten their backs up, they are going somewhere, because a man can't ride your back unless it is bent

Love is creative, understanding goodwill for all men. It is the refusal to defeat any individual.

Intelligence plus character-that is the goal of true education.

If we get setbacks and if something happens where the Civil Rights Bill is watered down, for instance, if the Negro feels that he can do nothing but move from one ghetto to another and one slum to another, the despair and the disappointment will be so great that it will be very difficult to keep the struggle disciplined and nonviolent.