The past is prophetic in that it asserts loudly that wars are poor chisels for carving out peaceful tomorrows.

We who in engage in nonviolent direct action are not the creators of tension. We merely bring to the surface the hidden tension that is already alive.

One who breaks an unjust 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 law.

I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro's great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen's Councilor or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate.

Riots are the voices of the unheard.

In this Revolution no plans have been written for retreat.

Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.

I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.

He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it.

I want to be the white man's brother, not his brother-in-law.