From the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire, let freedom ring. From the mighty mountains of New York, let freedom ring. From the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania, let freedom ring. But not only that: Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi.

Love is the most durable power in the world. This creative force is the most potent instrument available in mankind's quest for peace and security.

Don't let anybody make you think that God chose America as his divine, messianic force to be a sort of policeman of the whole world.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

There is such a thing as the freedom of exhaustion. Some people are so worn down by the yoke of oppression that they give up. [...] The oppressed must never allow the conscience of the oppressor to slumber. [...] To accept injustice or segregation passively is to say to the oppressor that his actions are morally right.

The bombs in Vietnam explode at home; they destroy the hopes and possibilities for a decent America.

If you've got nothing worth dying for, you've got nothing worth living for.