We must stand up and say, "I'm black and I'm beautiful," and this self-affirmation is the black man's need, made compelling by the white man's crimes against him.

People with good intentions but limited understanding are more dangerous than people with total ill will.

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

Through our scientific and technological genius we've made of this world a neighborhood. And now through our moral and ethical commitment we must make of it a brotherhood. We must all learn to live together as brothers-or we will all perish together as fools.

We must learn that to expect God to do everything while we do nothing is not faith but superstition.

The Negro cannot win the respect of his oppressor by acquiescing; he merely increases the oppressor's arrogance and contempt.

A man who hasn't found anything he'd die for doesn't deserve to live.