I subject myself to self-purification and to endless self-analysis; I question and soul-search constantly into myself to be as certain as I can that I am fulfilling the true meaning of my work, that I am maintaining my sense of purpose, that I am holding fast to my ideals, that I am guiding my people in the right direction.

Every man of humane convictions must decide on the protest that best suits his convictions, but we must all protest.

Pity may represent little more than the impersonal concern which prompts the mailing of a check, but true sympathy is the personal concern which demands the giving of one’s soul.

I just want to do God’s will. And he’s allowed me to go to the mountain. And I’ve looked over, and I’ve seen the promised land! I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the promised land.

As my sufferings mounted I soon realized that there were two ways in which I could respond to my situation — either to react with bitterness or seek to transform the suffering into a creative force. I decided to follow the latter course.

 A dream of a nation where all our gifts and resources are held not for ourselves alone, but as instruments of service for the rest of humanity; the dream of a country where every man will respect the dignity and worth of the human personality.

A dream of a land where men will not argue that the color of a man’s skin determines the content of his character;

A dream of equality of opportunity, of privilege and property widely distributed; a dream of a land where men will not take necessities from the many to give luxuries to the few;

This will be the day when we bring into full realization the American dream – a dream yet unfulfilled.

 I look forward confidently to the day when all who work for a living will be one with no thought to their separateness as Negroes, Jews, Italians or any other distinctions.

An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.

The hope of a secure and livable world lies with disciplined nonconformists who are dedicated to justice, peace and brotherhood.

In a sense, songs are the soul of a movement.

We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now

Be the peace you wish to see in the world!

Music is the best consolation for a despaired man.

We must shift the arms race into a ‘peace race’.

Without justice, there can be no peace.

Means we use must be as pure as the ends we seek.

Oppressed people cannot remain oppressed forever.

I was not afraid of the words of the violent, but of the silence of the honest.

I have a dream that one day little black boys and girls will be holding hands with little white boys and girls.

There is no deficit in human resources; the deficit is in human will.

The hottest place in Hell is reserved for those who remain neutral in times of great moral conflict.