In a sense we've come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men - yes, black men as well as white men - would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness... America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked 'insufficient funds.'

Martin Luther King, Jr.

More Quotes by Martin Luther King, Jr.
Categorized in : Fall Men Pursuit Of Happiness
More Quotes From Martin Luther King, Jr.

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

Martin Luther King, Jr.
inspirational love life

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.
inspiring motivational inspirational

May I stress the need for courageous, intelligent, and dedicated leadership... Leaders of sound integrity. Leaders not in love with publicity, but in love with justice. Leaders not in love with money, but in love with humanity. Leaders who can subject their particular egos to the greatness of the cause.

Martin Luther King, Jr.
stress integrity commitment

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.

Martin Luther King, Jr.
motivational inspirational life

A man dies when he refuses to stand up for that which is right. A man dies when he refuses to stand up for justice. A man dies when he refuses to take a stand for that which is true.

Martin Luther King, Jr.
refuse justice men

History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.

Martin Luther King, Jr.
destiny courage integrity
We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same bo... by Martin Luther King, Jr.

We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now.

Martin Luther King, Jr.
inspiring meaningful inspirational
Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole... by Martin Luther King, Jr.

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

Martin Luther King, Jr.
change motivational inspirational

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.
kings dream children

Never, never be afraid to do what's right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way.

Martin Luther King, Jr.
courage integrity inspirational
Not everybody can be famous but everybody can be great, because g... by Martin Luther King, Jr.

Not everybody can be famous but everybody can be great, because greatness is determined by service.

Martin Luther King, Jr.
determined greatness
It's not the violence of the few that scares me, it's the silence... by Martin Luther King, Jr.

It's not the violence of the few that scares me, it's the silence of the many

Martin Luther King, Jr.
scare violence silence

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

Martin Luther King, Jr.
evil tree mean

The richer we have become materially, the poorer we become morally and spiritually. We have learned to fly in the air like birds and swim in the sea like fish, but we have not learned the simple art of living together as brothers.

Martin Luther King, Jr.
brother inspirational art
Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into frie... by Martin Luther King, Jr.

Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.

Martin Luther King, Jr.
change love friendship
The time is always right to do what is right. by Martin Luther King, Jr.

The time is always right to do what is right.

Martin Luther King, Jr.
inspiring positive inspirational
Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doin... by Martin Luther King, Jr.

Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'

Martin Luther King, Jr.
motivational inspirational life
Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes... by Martin Luther King, Jr.

Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle.

Martin Luther King, Jr.
strength change inspiring
Perhaps the worst sin in life is knowing right and not doing it. by Martin Luther King, Jr.

Perhaps the worst sin in life is knowing right and not doing it.

Martin Luther King, Jr.
sin knowing life-is

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. Nothing worthwhile is easy. Your ability to overcome unfavorable situations will provide you with time to demonstrate your true strength and determination for success. Always set your standards high, your greatest achievements lie within the infinite feats you achieve in your life.

Martin Luther King, Jr.
determination meaningful lying