15 Martin Luther King Jr. Quotes on Justice, Hope & Courage
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a leader of the American civil rights movement. His words on equality, love, and justice remain as powerful and relevant as ever.
"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."
I Have a Dream speech, August 28, 1963
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."
Strength to Love, 1963
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
Letter from Birmingham Jail, 1963
"The time is always right to do what is right."
Oberlin College commencement, 1965
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."
On the importance of speaking up
"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase."
On courage and faith
"In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends."
On moral courage
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
Strength to Love, 1963
"Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend."
Sermon on loving your enemies
"If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward."
On perseverance