The sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality.

Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.

Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.

We must build dikes of courage to hold back the flood of fear.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate only love can do that.

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. A man can't ride you unless your back is bent.

Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor it must be demanded by the oppressed.

The sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality.

I just want to do God's will. And he's allowed me to go to the mountain. 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.

We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the vitriolic words and actions of the bad people, but for the appalling silence of the good people.