We are not makers of history. We are made by history.

Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice.

Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction.

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

If you can't be a sun, be a star. For it isn't by size that you win or fail. Be the best of whatever you are.

Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal.

The real problem is that through our scientific genius we’ve made of the world a neighborhood, but through our moral and spiritual genius we’ve failed to make of it a brotherhood.