Power properly understood is nothing but the ability to achieve purpose. It is the strength required to bring about social, political and economic change.

I became convinced that noncooperation with evil is as much a moral obligation as is cooperation with good. No other person has been more eloquent and passionate in getting this idea across than Henry David Thoreau. As a result of his writings and personal witness, we are the heirs of a legacy of creative protest.

I never intend to adjust myself to the madness of militarism.

Somebody must have sense enough and morality enough to cut off the chain of hate and the chain of evil in the universe. And you do that by love

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

You can have no influence over those for whom you have underlying contempt.

The Negro is the child of two cultures - Africa and America. The problem is that in the search for wholeness all too many Negroes seek to embrace only one side of their natures.