Martin Luther King, Jr., born January 15, 1929, died April 4, 1968, was the most visible American civil rights leader from 1955 until his assassination. He promoted civil rights through non-violence, motivated by his Christian beliefs and the peaceful activism of Mahatma Gandhi. We suspect that this wise soul incarnated to teach the world about race relations and much more, and we are grateful for her wisdom. Here are some of her quotes, which are also good reminders for the present.

“I have a dream that my four young children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged on the color of their skin, but on the content of their character.”

“Returning violence for violence’s sake multiplies violence, adding a deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.”

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

“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.”

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he is in times of comfort and convenience, but where he is in times of challenge and controversy.”

“We may all have come on different boats, but now we are in the same boat.”

“You don’t have to see the entire staircase, just take the first step.”

“A man dies when he refuses to stand up for what is right. A man dies when he refuses to stand up for justice. A man dies when he refuses to stand up for what is true.”

“Never, never be afraid to do the right thing, especially if the welfare of a person or an animal is at stake. The punishments of society are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way.”

“It is always the right time to do the right thing.”

“Violence as a way to achieve racial justice is impractical and immoral. It is impractical because it is a downward spiral that ends in destruction for all. It is immoral because it seeks to humiliate the opponent rather than gain their understanding; it seeks to annihilate rather than to become. Violence is immoral because it thrives on hatred rather than love. “

“What affects one directly affects all indirectly.”

“We must learn that waiting for God to do everything while we do nothing is not faith but superstition.”

“Not everyone can be famous, but everyone can be great, because greatness is determined by service.”

“Use me, God. Show me how to take who I am, who I want to be, and what I can do, and use it for a purpose greater than myself.”

“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”

“Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscious stupidity.”

“Let’s build bridges, not walls.”

“This is the great new problem of humanity. We have inherited a great house, a great ‘house of the world’ in which we have to live together: black and white, Eastern and Western, Gentile and Jewish, Catholic and Protestant, Muslim and Hindus – a family unduly separated in ideas, culture and interests, which, as we can never live apart again, must somehow learn to live together in peace “.

“The function of education is to teach one to think intensely and critically. Intelligence plus character: that is the goal of true education.”

“If you cannot be a sun, be a star. Because it is not by size that you win or fail. Be the best of who you are.”

“I still believe that defending God’s truth is the greatest thing in the world. This is the end (purpose) of life. The end of life is not to be happy. The end of life is not to achieve pleasure and avoid pain. The end of life is to do God’s will, whatever happens. “

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