Quotes from Martin Luther King, Jr.

Sooner or later, all the peoples of the world will have to discover a way to live together in peace, and thereby transform this pending cosmic elegy into a creative psalm of brotherhood.

We can walk through the darkest night with the radiant conviction that all things work together for the good.

Will we be extremists for hate, or will we be extremists for love? Will we be extremists for the preservation of injustice, or will we be extremists for the cause of justice?

Now there is a final reason I think that Jesus says, 'Love your enemies.' It is this: that love has within it a redemptive power. And there is a power there that eventually transforms individuals.

Love is somehow the key that unlocks the door which leads to ultimate reality.

Every genuine expression of love grows out of a consistent and total surrender to God.

Keep feeling the need for being first. But I want you to be the first in love. I want you to be the first in moral excellence. I want you to be the first in generosity.

Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it.

When we see social relationships controlled everywhere by the principles which Jesus illustrated in life -- trust, love, mercy, and altruism -- then we shall know that the kingdom of God is here.

Returning hate, adding deeper darkness to a night that is already void of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.

Right defeated is stronger than evil triumphant.

Power is love implementing the demands of justice. Justice is love correcting everything that goes against love.

It is Love that will save our world and our civilization.

Justice is love correcting that which revolts against love.

So when Jesus says "Love your enemies," he is setting forth a profound and ultimately inescapable admonition.

Love is the only creative, redemptive, transforming power, in the universe.

One who breaks an unjust law must do so openly, lovingly, and with a willingness to accept the penalty.

I just want to be there in love and in justice and in truth and in commitment to others, so that we can make of this old world a new world.

If I wish to compose or write or pray or preach well, I must be angry. Then all the blood in my veins is stirred, and my understanding is sharpened.

To other countries, I may go as a tourist, but to India, I come as a pilgrim.

Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable... Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.

You can't reach good ends through evil means, because the means represent the seed and the end represents the tree.

Even if I were certain that the world would end tomorrow, I would plant a tree this very day

Unconditional love will have the final word in reality.