25+ Inspirational Quotes from Martin Luther King, Jr.
These timeless words will restore your faith in humanity on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and every day.
Start with communication
“People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.”
No justice, no peace
“True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.”
Don’t miss these 25 powerful quotes on racism from history’s most inspiring activists.
Drive out darkness and hate
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: Only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: Only love can do that.” One of the most famous Martin Luther King, Jr. quotes, this quote implores that two wrongs don’t make a right.
Here’s what Black Canadians are saying about racial injustice in Canada.
Have faith
“Faith is taking the first step even when you can’t see the whole staircase.”
Here are 100+ good news stories from around the world that will brighten your day.
Anybody can serve
“Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
Check out these podcasts about race you need to hear.
We must all protest
“Every man of humane convictions must decide on the protest that best suits his convictions, but we must all protest.” Another MLK quote that’s incredibly relevant today! He understands that everyone has a role to play in the struggle for justice.
You need to watch these powerful documentaries about race.
Live together
“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”
Here’s how to overcome prejudice and live without bias.
Forgiveness and love
“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.”
Read these beautiful proverbs about life from around the world.
What is popular or what is right
“There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe nor politic nor popular, but he must take it because his conscience tells him it is right.”
Here are the LGBTQ+ heroes you didn’t learn about in history class.
Right to protest
“All we say to America is, ‘Be true to what you said on paper.’ … 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.”
Here’s what you need to know about the anti-police brutality protests in Canada.
The measure of a man
“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.” These Martin Luther King, Jr. quotes know that trying times are what bring out a person’s true nature.
The key to happiness
“Those who are not looking for happiness are the most likely to find it, because those who are searching forget that the surest way to be happy is to seek happiness for others.”
Stay focused on your goals with these 25 motivational quotes from eternal optimists.
A genuine leader
“A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.”
Learn about these Black inventors who made your life easier.
A single stone
“Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope.” These MLK quotes remind us that hope is never truly gone.
Here are more wise quotes worth remembering.
Keep moving forward
“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” Talk about inspirational!
Did you know about these famous quotes everyone gets wrong?
Injustice impacts everyone
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Dr. King wrote these words, and many others just as inspirational, from prison after being arrested during a nonviolent protest.
Read about this person’s road trip along the Civil Rights Trail and what they learned about prejudice and race relations.
Listen to one another
“Here is the true meaning and value of compassion and nonviolence, when it helps us to see the enemy’s point of view, to hear his questions, to know his assessment of ourselves. For from his view we may indeed see the basic weaknesses of our own condition, and if we are mature, we may learn and grow and profit from the wisdom of the brothers who are called the opposition.”
Inspire yourself with these 25 happy quotes to lift your spirits.
Live and learn
“We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education.”
Here are the stories of 10 Canadian women you didn’t learn (enough) about in school.
Shake the foundations
“The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.”
To get through a tough time, read these hope quotes that will instantly lift you up.
Work for change
“Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom.”
Here are 18 forgiveness quotes that will make you put down your grudges.
A noble weapon
“Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon. Indeed, it is a weapon unique in history, which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it.”
Check out this collection of 100 great Canadian quotes.
Difficult days ahead
“We’ve got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn’t matter with me now because I’ve been to the mountaintop… I’ve looked over and I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the promised land.” Here’s yet another MLK quote that hits home today.
Don’t miss the true stories behind the most iconic photos in American history.
Hold on to hope
“We must accept finite disappointment but never lose infinite hope.” Many of these Martin Luther King, Jr. quotes are just as relevant today as they were 50 years ago.
Check out these surprisingly inspirational quotes from top comedians.
Doing good work
“All labour that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.”
Don’t miss the shortest quotes in history.
The importance of dreams
“I say to you today, my friends, that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment, I still have a dream.”
Check out these memorable Stephen Hawking quotes.
The final word
“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.”
Next, here are the most inspiring Princess Diana quotes.
