Our Top 10 Martin Luther King Jr. Quotes

Our Top 10 Martin Luther King Jr. Quotes

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day we have put together a top ten list of our favorite of his inspirational quotes. Read our list from this great, great man and feel empowered. 

1. “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”

2. “I have decided to stick to love...Hate is too great a burden to bear.”

3. “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
Martin Luther King Jr.

4. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

-Martin Luther King Jr. (Letter from Birmingham Jail, April 16, 1963)

5. “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. The true neighbor will risk his position, his prestige, and even his life for the welfare of others.”

-Martin Luther King Jr. (From his 1963 book, Strength to Love)

6. “We all have the drum major instinct. We all want to be important, to surpass others, to achieve distinction, to lead the parade. … And the great issue of life is to harness the drum major instinct. It is a good instinct if you don’t distort it and pervert it. Don’t give it up. Keep feeling the need for being important. 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.”

- Martin Luther King Jr. (Sermon at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on February 2, 1968)

7. “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”

-Martin Luther King Jr.

8. “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”

-Martin Luther King Jr.

9. “There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because conscience tells him it is right.”

-Martin Luther King Jr.

10. “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.”

-Martin Luther King Jr.

The VerMints Gang is sending peace and gratitude to all.

Back to blog