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

Let us rise up tonight with a greater readiness. Let us stand with a greater determination. And let us move on in these powerful days, these days of challenge to make America what it ought to be. We have an opportunity to make America a better nation.

I said to my children, 'I'm going to work and do everything that I can do to see that you get a good education. I don't ever want you to forget that there are millions of God's children who will not and cannot get a good education, and I don't want you feeling that you are better than they are. For you will never be what you ought to be until they are what they ought to be.

I would rather be a man of conviction than a man of conformity

But I say to you, my friends, there are certain things in our nation and in the world which I am proud to be maladjusted and which I hope all men of good-will will be maladjusted until the good societies realize.

Justice too long delayed is justice denied.

We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love.