One has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.

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.

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.

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

Be the peace you wish to see in the world!

Music is the best consolation for a despaired man.

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

Cowardice asks the question, ‘Is it safe?’ Expediency asks the question, ‘Is it politic?’ Vanity asks the question, ‘Is it popular?’ But, conscience asks the question, ‘Is it right?’ And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but one must take it because one’s conscience tells one that it is right.

Whatever career you may choose for yourself – doctor, lawyer, teacher – let me propose an avocation to be pursued along with it.

If physical death is the price that I must pay to free my white brothers and sisters from a permanent death of the spirit, then nothing can be more redemptive.

Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.

A right delayed is a right denied.

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

A man can’t ride your back unless it’s bent.

Make new mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody’s ever made before.

I don’t believe in failure. It is not failure if you enjoyed the process.

No man is defeated without until he has first been defeated within.

Those who dare to fail miserably can achieve greatly.

All my successes have been built on my failures.

Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.

Fear is pain arising from the anticipation of evil.

He who has overcome his fears will truly be free.

A friend to all is a friend to none.

Wishing to be friends is quick work, but friendship is a slow ripening fruit.