April fourth marks the fiftieth anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination; Let us celebrate a man who was an intellectual, an advocate for social justice, a spiritual leader, a father, a teacher, and so much more. Dr. King’s vision for racial equality is one we still struggle for, but here are a few of his words that still resonate with us today.

“In the end, we will remember not the words our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”

“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”

“Nothing in all the word is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.”

“The time is always right to do what is right.”

“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.”

“Human progress is nether automatic nor inevitable…Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.”

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

“We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.”

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

“I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.”

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

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’

“The ultimate tragedy is no the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people.”

“Our scientific power has outrun out spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men.”

May we continue to let him inspire us for generations to come.