12 Martin Luther King Jr Quotes That Changed Our Country
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

12 Martin Luther King Jr Quotes That Changed Our Country

9. "Yes, it is love that will save our world and our civilization, love even for enemies."

827
12 Martin Luther King Jr Quotes That Changed Our Country
Photo by Jerónimo Bernot on Unsplash

On January 15th of every year, we commemorate a man who believed in the good and fought for it. A man who stood by and behind what he believed in. A man who truly believed he could change the world. A man who had a dream.

I have admired Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for as long as I can remember. So this Monday the 15th, we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s 89th birthday, and his influence on America, and the world then and now.

I put together a list of Mr. King's most inspiring, moving and motivational quotes. Here they are!!

1. "Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education."

Dr. King made this statement, in 1947, in an essay he wrote for the Morehouse College student newspaper, titled “The Purpose of Education”.

2. "Science investigates; religion interprets. Science gives man knowledge, which is power; religion gives man wisdom, which is control. Science deals mainly with facts; religion deals mainly with values. The two are not rivals."

This quote is from Dr. King's sermon "A Tough Mind and A Tender Heart" written in 1959.

3. "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."

This quote is in Dr. King's book, "Strength to Love", written in 1963.

4. “Be a bush if you can't be a tree. If you can't be a highway, just be a trail. If you can't be a sun, be a star. For it isn't by size that you win or fail. Be the best of whatever you are."

This quote is from when Dr. King spoke to students at Barratt Junior High School in Philadelphia in 1967.

5. "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly."

This quote comes from"Letter from Birmingham, Alabama Jail’, in 1962.

6. "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."

Dr. King made this statement when he was accepting his Nobel Peace Prize in Norway, in 1964.

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

This quote comes from the Oberlin College Commencement speech that Dr. King made in 1965.

8. “All we say to America is, ‘Be true to what you said on paper.’ If I lived in China or even Russia, or any totalitarian country, maybe I could understand the denial of certain basic First Amendment privileges, because they hadn't committed themselves to that over there. But somewhere I read of the freedom of assembly. Somewhere I read of the freedom of speech. Somewhere I read of the freedom of the press. Somewhere I read that the greatness of America is the right to protest for right.”

This is from the speech "I've Been To The Mountain Top", given in 1968.

9. "Yes, it is love that will save our world and our civilization, love even for enemies."

This quote is from one of my favorite sermons by Dr. King. It is his “Loving Your Enemies,” sermon that he gave in 1957.

10. "I say to myself that hate is too great a burden to bear. (Yes, That’s right) I have decided to love."

Dr. King said this at the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. The speech was titled "Where Do We Go From Here?".

11. "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 the will of God, come what may."

This is from Dr. King's sermon “Paul’s Letter to American Christians", given in 1956.

12."Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that."

This is my favorite quote from Dr. King. He said this in his book, "Strength to Love", written in 1963.

I hope these quotes inspired or motivated you to treat everyone with love and respect and to never stop fighting for what you believe in and know is right.

What's your dream? Comment below!!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

78595
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

48204
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

978328
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments