Great Martin Luther King Quotes

Let us celebrate the life of Rev. Martin Luther King by taking a look at some of the more notable things he said. (This is by no means a complete list)

• “Rarely do we find men who willingly engage in hard, solid thinking. There is an almost universal quest for easy answers and half-baked solutions. Nothing pains some people more than having to think.” —Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968)

• “Curtailment of free speech is rationalized on grounds that a more compelling American tradition forbids criticism of the government when the nation is at war…. Nothing can be more destructive of our fundamental democratic traditions than the vicious effort to silence dissenters.” —Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968)

• “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.” —Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968) Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech, Dec. 10, 1964

• “I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality…. I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.” —Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968)

• “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” —Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968)

• "Faith is taking the first step even when you can’t see the whole staircase.'"

• "Never, never be afraid to do what’s right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society’s punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way.'"