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Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Quotes

Civil rights activist

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Famous Martin Luther King, Jr. Quotes

“I think the first reason that we should love our enemies, and I think this was at the very center of Jesus' thinking, is this: that hate for hate only intensifies the existence of hate and evil in the universe.”

ThinkingShouldFirstsReasonHateUniverseEvilJesusExistenceEnemyPeace And Justice
Book:A Time to Break Silence: The Essential Works of Martin Luther King, Jr., for Students
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“Join with the Earth and each other, to bring new life to the land, to restore the waters, to refresh the air, to renew the forests, to care for the plants, to protect the creatures, to celebrate the seas, to rejoice in the sunlight, to sing the song of the stars, to recall our destiny, to renew our spirits, to reinvigorate our bodies, to recreate the human community, to promote justice and peace, to love our children and love one another, to join together as many and diverse expressions of one loving mystery, for the healing of the Earth and the renewal of all life.”

HumansChildrenBodyCareEarthTogetherSpiritSongStarsWaterCommunityJusticeHealingDestinyAirMysterySeaLandExpressionProtectCreaturesAnd LoveOur ChildrenPlantForestsCelebrateRejoiceSunlightDiverseRecallsNew LifeOur DestinyRenewalLove One AnotherPeace And JusticeChildren And LoveLove Our Children
Author:Martin Luther King, Jr.
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“Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.”

WorldInspirationalTruthPoliticalPoliticsFreedomDangerousStupidDangerIgnoranceKingsHumorousYogaWittyStupidityFoolishCivil RightsAfrican AmericanMinistersPearls Of WisdomSincereActivistFoolishnessSkepticalCivil Rights MovementPeace And JusticePeace JusticeSillinessBeing StupidStupidity And IgnoranceDangerous WorldKings And LoveGood KingsKnowledge And IgnorancePeople StupidityConscientiousnessStupidity And IntelligenceAfrican American Civil RightsCivil Rights LeadersConscientious Objectors
Author:Martin Luther King, Jr.
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“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

LifeInspirationalEndsMatterMotivationalTodayPeaceChangeInspiringSilenceAttitudeOur LivesSocietyGreatnessKingsElectionSilentCivil RightsThis LifeAfrican AmericanMinistersIndifferenceChanging The WorldMaking A DifferenceVotingActivistVotersApathyDayPositive LifeMaking ChangesBlack HistoryComplacencyInsperationalCivil Rights MovementMatter Of FactTaking ActionBaptistsLove HateLives Of OthersCivil SocietyLove And HateAnimal WelfareEnd Of LifeThings That MatterPeace And JusticeAdvocacyI Had A DreamGreat NationsElection DayHuman TraffickingTraffickingHate SpeechBystandersPioneeringLive Life To Its FullestSilence Is GoldenI Have A Dream SpeechKings SpeechSilencingCivil Right MovementDarfurElections And VotingAfrican American Civil RightsInspirational VotingLight Of My LifeGreatest LifeCivil Rights LeadersAction And ChangeWise LifeInfinite HopeOther People's Actions
Author:Martin Luther King, Jr.
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“In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies but the silence of our friends.”

EndsWisdomRememberFriendshipMemoriesFreedomSilenceEnemyGreatnessFriendsKingsSilentWordsMy FavoriteCleverCivil RightsLife And DeathReal FriendsTrue FriendTrue FriendshipInsperationalMy FriendshipOur WordsPeace And JusticeAbout FriendshipLove And FriendshipFriendship LoveFriendship MemoriesBest FriendshipCute FriendshipInspirational FriendshipBystandersTalkativeEternal VigilanceInspiring FriendsFriends And EnemiesSilence Is GoldenBeautiful FriendshipNot FriendsFriendship OverI Have A Dream SpeechKings SpeechPowerful WordsKings And LoveGood KingsBehind Your BackDeath Of A FriendSweet FriendshipReally Cute Best FriendChoosing FriendsBackstabbingTrue Friendship And LifeMeaningful FriendshipAfrican American Civil RightsSounds Of SilenceEnemy WithinPrecious FriendsCivil Rights LeadersStrangers And FriendsWords With FriendsNo True Friends
Author:Martin Luther King, Jr.
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“A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom.”

YearsSoulSpiritualNationsSocialChangeMoneyMilitaryKingsProgramInjusticeDefenseCivil RightsRadicalUpliftingJailMore MoneyDoomVietnam WarPeace WarPeace And JusticeMilitarismInspirational MilitaryWar CrimesEconomic JusticeBreaking SilenceKings SpeechSpiritual DeathSoul ForceSocial ProgramsMilitary SpendingEvils Of WarLesser KnownMilitary Discipline
Author:Martin Luther King, Jr.
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“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”

InspirationalMotivationalHopePeaceLosesLossInspiringAcceptingSuccessfulAcceptancePositiveGreatnessKingsLosingInfiniteDisappointmentCivil RightsSuccessful PeopleEncouragingFiniteDisappointDisappointingHaving HopePeace And JusticeSuccessful BusinessPeace JusticeHope For The FutureAchieved SuccessGreat HopeNever Lose HopeKings SpeechKings And LoveGood KingsLost HopeLosing HopeDisappointment LoveHope InspirationalDisappointment In FriendsBeing DisappointedHope And ChangeAfrican American Civil RightsOvercome TrialsNever Lose FaithLife DisappointmentInfinite HopePeople DisappointDisappointed In YouInfinite BeautyDeep Disappointment
Author:Martin Luther King, Jr.
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“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”

LifeWisdomMotivationalTogetherExistenceHistoryLearningGreatnessBrotherFoolKingsDiversityRacismRespectLaborPhilosophicalUnityEqualityCaringBrilliantToleranceCivil RightsLive LifeMy BrotherIslamicSelf RespectPearls Of WisdomBrotherhoodSolidarityFoolishnessTogethernessRespecting OthersTeam BuildingPeace And JusticeLove And RespectMulticulturalUnity In DiversityAntithesisGreat RespectLiving TogetherLabor DayBeing TogetherPerishingLove RespectRepublic DayFools And WiseWorld ReligionsI Have A Dream SpeechKings SpeechKings And LoveLabour DayHappy Labor DayPeace And ToleranceTolerance And RespectPeace And UnityLearning From OthersCute BrotherLabour Day WeekendFunny Labor DayHuman DiversityAfrican American Civil RightsTolerance And DiversityBrotherhood And PeaceOther People's Actions
Author:Martin Luther King, Jr.
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“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

WisdomPeaceCommunityJusticeFreedomStruggleRightsSocietyDangerKingsGaySocial JusticeThreatInjusticeHuman RightsEqualityCivil RightsIslamicJailBentEqual RightsMenacePeace And JusticeCriminal JusticeI Had A DreamBeing At PeacePeace JusticeRacial JusticeEquality And JusticeInternational PeaceBirminghamLiberty And JusticeMass IncarcerationSocial InjusticeTruth And JusticeLaw And JusticeI Have A Dream SpeechKings SpeechJustice For AllKings And LoveGood KingsSocial EqualityCivil Right MovementJustice And MercyJustice And InjusticeSocial ActionAfrican American InspirationalAmerican JusticeEqual JusticeLegal RightsHuman EqualityAfrican American Civil RightsJustice EqualityJustice TruthBeloved CommunityInterrelatednessInjustice AnywhereRights In AmericaJustice Denied
Author:Martin Luther King, Jr.
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“Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'”

LifeInspirationalHelpingMotivationalSocialFriendshipLeadershipInspiringConsciousnessKindnessSuccessfulTeacherPositiveKingsCharityCaringHumanitarianHelping OthersCivil RightsPersistenceActivistQuestioningPhilanthropyVolunteerAltruismFinitePersistentGiving BackUrgentInfluentialPublic ServiceServing OthersService To OthersCaring For OthersPeople In Your LifePeace And JusticeVolunteerismPhilanthropicSacrifice For OthersActs Of KindnessPeace JusticeInspirational SuccessService To HumanitySocial ServiceKindness To OthersDo Unto OthersInspirational CharityInspirational ServiceGiving To OthersPhilanthropy GivingKings And LoveGood KingsGreat SacrificePhilanthropy InspirationActs Of ServiceInspirational VolunteerVolunteerism And ServiceOthers Helping YouShared HumanityAfrican American Civil RightsDoing For OthersCivil Rights LeadersInspirational HistoryInfinite HopeHelping HumanityOther People's Actions
Book:Strength to Love
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“The time is always right to do what is right.”

InspirationalTimeEvilFreedomInspiringBusinessAttitudeResponsibilityOne ThingPositivePositive ThinkingKingsHonorIntegrityBehaviorStandardsEthicsIntelligenceCivil RightsThings To DoRight ThingRighteousnessRighteousAmerican DreamSelf DisciplineBadassBlack HistoryRight PlaceCivil Rights MovementBaptistsDoing The Right ThingGood CharacterPeace And JusticeDoing RightBlack History MonthHonesty IntegrityHonesty And IntegrityBlack History Month InspirationalIntegrity And CharacterHonest And IntegrityIntegrity CharacterHonor And IntegrityAfrican American HistoryPrecious TimeMoral EthicsKings And LoveLeadership IntegrityGood KingsBlack History InspirationalSocial GoodLife DeterminationInspirational CharacterKwanzaaProper TimeEthics And IntegrityLiving RightAfrican American History MonthBlack InspirationalSpiritual IntegrityMoral IntegrityMorals And IntegrityAfrican American Civil RightsTime Is PreciousInspirational HistoryPositive BehaviorRight TimingAlways Being Right
Author:Martin Luther King, Jr.
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“I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.”

LoveBelieveCharacterRealityTruthEvilI BelievePeaceVirtueHonestyKingsWords Of WisdomIntegrityDespairStrongerFinalsWordsDefeatI Believe InGood And EvilUnconditional LoveTemporaryDefeatedUnconditionalCivil Rights MovementPeace WarBeing StrongTriumphantPeace And JusticePure LovePeace And LovePeace JusticeGood Vs EvilUnarmedStrong PeopleGood Against EvilConditionalAccepting RealityUnconditional AcceptanceKings SpeechFinal WordsKings And LoveCivil Right MovementAcceptance SpeechTruth And RealityConditional LoveReality Of LoveStruggle Between Good And Evil
Author:Martin Luther King, Jr.
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“Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.”

MenLoveHumansPeaceViolenceKingsConflictMethodFoundationRevengeCivil RightsAfrican AmericanEvolveRejectsResolutionNonviolenceAggressionSelf DisciplineCivil Rights MovementBaptistsNon ViolenceCriminal MindDisarmamentPeace WarPeace And JusticePeace And LoveConflict ResolutionBeing At PeaceMediationPeace JusticeRetaliationHuman LoveNon ViolentBest RevengeInner ConflictExacting RevengeNobel Peace PrizeHuman CapacityKings SpeechViolence And PeaceKings And LoveCivil Right MovementRevenge Is SweetFoundation Of Love
Book:The Essential Martin Luther King, Jr.:
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“The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: 'If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?' But... the good Samaritan reversed the question: 'If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?'”

IfsMenFirstsHelpingHappensPeaceLeadershipInspiringCompassionCharityHelping OthersPriestsServingHelping PeopleStarting OverServing OthersPeace And JusticeDeterminismPeace JusticeRhymingInspirational CharityInspirational ServiceHelping Other PeopleGood KingsSamaritans
Author:Martin Luther King, Jr.
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“The hope of a secure and livable world lies with disciplined nonconformists who are dedicated to justice, peace and brotherhood.”

WorldLyingPeaceJusticeDisciplineDiversityCommitmentSecureThought ProvokingBrotherhoodDedicatedSelf DisciplineNonconformityPeace And JusticeUnity In DiversityPeace JusticeNonconformistKings And LoveAmerican JusticeTrailblazersBrotherhood And PeaceDisciplined Life
Book:A Gift of Love: Sermons from Strength to Love and Other Preachings
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“Nonviolence means avoiding not only external physical violence but also internal violence of spirit. You not only refuse to shoot a man, but you refuse to hate him.”

MenMeanWarSpiritHatePeaceFreedomViolenceRefuseRedemptionInternalsThought ProvokingNonviolenceAvoidingNon ViolencePeace And JusticePeace JusticeHate HimViolence And PeaceAvoiding PainPhysical Violence
Book:I Have a Dream: The Quotations of Martin Luther King, Jr
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“Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal.”

MeanWarHumanityPeaceGoalViolencePeacefulPeace Of MindOur WorldAnti WarAntiwarFinding PeaceDisarmamentPeace WarGreat WarPeace And JusticePeace And LoveConflict ResolutionPeace And HappinessPeacemakingBeing At PeacePeace JusticePeacefulnessMake Peace Not WarPeaceful WorldAchieving PeaceInternational PeacePeace Not WarPeacekeepingInner Peace And HappinessPeace And SecurityViolence And PeaceWorld Peace DayInternational Peace DayFreedom And PeacePeace Of HeartViolence And WarPeace HarmonyPeace And TolerancePromoting PeaceHarmony And LoveMaintaining Peace
Book:A Time to Break Silence: The Essential Works of Martin Luther King, Jr., for Students
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“It is not enough to say we must not wage war. It is necessary to love peace and sacrifice for it.”

LoveWarEnoughPeaceSacrificeAnti WarAntiwarPeace WarGreat WarPeace And JusticePeace And LovePeace And HappinessBeing At PeacePeace JusticeMake Peace Not WarRevolutionary WarPeaceful WorldPeace LoveAchieving PeacePeace Not WarTrue PeaceWaging WarKings And LoveWar VeteranLove And WarAmerican WarEternal PeaceUnnecessary WarWar LoveWar With Yourself
Book:A Time to Break Silence: The Essential Works of Martin Luther King, Jr., for Students
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“An individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for the law.”

RealityMotivationalLawPoliticalOrderIndividualCommunityLibertyAcceptingBreakAcceptanceWillingKingsHighestRespectConscienceInjusticeLibertarianActivismAfrican AmericanProtestPenaltiesUnjustDissentDisobedienceCivil DisobedienceImprisonmentPeace And JusticeIndividual RightsPeace JusticeLibertarian PartyEquality And JusticeLiberty And JusticeDignity And RespectGood KingsJustice And InjusticeUnjust LawsJustice EqualityUnjust War
Author:Martin Luther King, Jr.
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“Power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anemic. Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is power correcting everything that stands against love.”

LovePoliticsJusticeLove IsDemandAnd LoveSentimentalRecklessWithout LoveAbusivePeace And JusticeCorrectingPeace JusticeImplementingPolar OppositesAgainst Love
Book:The Essential Martin Luther King, Jr.:
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“And when this happens, when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”

MenChildrenStatesGodHandsHappensAbleLastsSpiritualBlackFreedomWhiteCitiesCatholicJewSpeedRingsVillageThank GodAlmightyWhite ManProtestantsFreedom LibertyPeace And JusticeI Had A DreamPeace JusticeGentilesI Have A Dream SpeechKings SpeechFreedom And PeaceMarch On WashingtonJoining Hands
Author:Martin Luther King, Jr.
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“If you succumb to the temptation of using violence in the struggle, unborn generations will be the recipients of a long and desolate night of bitterness, and your chief legacy to the future will be an endless reign of meaningless chaos.”

IfsInspirationalLongWarNightPeaceInspiringStruggleViolenceGenerationsChaosEndlessTemptationChiefsLegacyBitternessMeaninglessAntiwarReignUnbornUbuntuPeace And JusticeDesolatePeace JusticeLate NightGeneration GapLoving Your EnemiesMedia Violence
Author:Martin Luther King, Jr.
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“Somehow we must transform the dynamics of the world power struggle from the negative nuclear arms race which no one can win to a positive contest to harness man's creative genius for the purpose of making peace and prosperity a reality for all of the nations of the world.”

MenWorldRealityPurposeWinningNationsPeaceRaceCreativityStruggleCreativeArmsGeniusNegativeProsperityPositivityNuclearContestsMaking PeaceDisarmamentPeace WarDynamicsHarnessPeace And JusticePeace JusticeMake Peace Not WarArms RaceCreative GeniusPower StruggleNuclear ArmsWorld PowerNuclear Arms Race
Book:The Essential Martin Luther King, Jr.:
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“This business of burning human beings with napalm, of filling our nation's homes with orphans and widows, of injecting poisonous drugs of hate into veins of peoples normally humane, of sending men home from dark and bloody battlefields physically handicapped and psychologically deranged, cannot be reconciled with wisdom, justice and love.”

MenHumansWarHomeHateNationsJusticeDarkHuman BeingsDrugAnd LoveBurningAntiwarBloodyVeinsFillingHumaneBattlefieldsWidowsOrphanPeace And JusticePoisonousHandicappedDerangedBreaking SilenceKings SpeechNapalmJustice And Love
Author:Martin Luther King, Jr.
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“Violence as a way of achieving racial justice is both impractical and immoral. It is impractical because it is a descending spiral ending in destruction for all. It is immoral because it seeks to humiliate the opponent rather than win his understanding; it seeks to annihilate rather than to convert. Violence is immoral because it thrives on hatred rather than love.”

WayLoveWinningPeaceUnderstandingJusticeViolenceAchieveDestructionHatredOpponentsThriveImmoralSpiralsPeace And JusticePeace JusticeDescendingHumiliateRacial JusticeAchieving PeaceJustice And Love
Book:The Wisdom of Martin Luther King, Jr
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“Violence is immoral because it thrives on hatred rather than love. It destroys community and makes brotherhood impossible. It leaves society in monologue rather than dialogue. Violence ends by defeating itself. It creates bitterness in the survivors and brutality in the destroyers.”

EndsCommunityViolenceImpossibleHatredBrilliantDialogueThriveBitternessSurvivorBrotherhoodImmoralBrutalityPeace And JusticeDestroyersMonologuesJustice And Love
Book:The Wisdom of Martin Luther King, Jr
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