Quotes of the Week: Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968)
January 20th, 1997 by Michael Moncur in BiographyOn January 20th America celebrates the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., known as one of the greatest civil rights leaders of all time. Although best known for his “I have a dream” speech, King’s writings and speeches are all worthy of attention. I’ve selected a few of my favorite quotes for this first installment of Quotes of the Week. See the bottom of this page for links to other sources of writings and speeches, and information about King’s life and his dream.
- “I submit to you that if a man hasn’t discovered something he will die for, he isn’t fit to live.”
- Speech in Detroit, June 23, 1963
- “Now, I say to you today my friends, even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: – ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.’”
- Speech at Civil Rights March on Washington, August 28, 1963
- “Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men.”
- Strength to Love, 1963
- “Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.”
- Ibid.
- “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.”
- Ibid.
- “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
- Letter from Birmingham Jail, April 16, 1963
- “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”
- Speech at St. Louis, March 22, 1964
- “…And 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. So I’m happy tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man.”
- Speech in Memphis, April 3, 1968, the day before King was assassinated
- The I have a dream speech
- The Martin Luther King Directory at Stanford
- Some sound clips of King’s speeches, provided by Webcorp