While the question of who killed President Kennedy is important, the question 'what killed him' is more important. Martin Luther King, Jr. More Quotes by Martin Luther King, Jr. More Quotes From Martin Luther King, Jr. Here is the true meaning and value of compassion and nonviolence, when it helps us to see the enemy's point of view, to hear his questions, to know his assessment of ourselves. For from his view we may indeed see the basic weaknesses of our own condition, and if we are mature, we may learn and grow and profit from the wisdom of the brothers who are called the opposition. Martin Luther King, Jr. compassionbrotherviews Jazz speaks for life. The Blues tell the story of life's difficulties, and if you think for a moment, you will realize that they take the hardest realities of life and put them into music, only to come out with some new hope or sense of triumph. Martin Luther King, Jr. triumphrealitythinking We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed. Frankly I have never yet engaged in a direct action movement that was 'well timed,' according to the timetable of those who have not suffered unduly from the disease of segregation. For years now I have heard the word 'Wait!' It rings in the ear of every Negro with a piercing familiarity. This 'wait' has almost always meant 'never.' We must come to see with the distinguished jurist of yesterday that 'justice too long delayed is justice denied.' Martin Luther King, Jr. direct-actionpainful-experiencesyears [I]t must be emphasized that nonviolent resistance is not a method for cowards; it does resist. If one uses this method because he is afraid or merely because he lacks the instruments of violence, he is not truly nonviolent. This is why Gandhi often said that if cowardice is the only alternative to violence, it is better to fight. Martin Luther King, Jr. cowardfightingdoe The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people. Martin Luther King, Jr. changekingspeople I refuse to accept the idea that the “isness” of man's present nature makes him morally incapable of reaching up for the eternal “oughtness” that forever confronts him. Martin Luther King, Jr. reaching-upmenideas He who is greatest among you shall be a servant. That's the new definition of greatness. ... By giving that definition of greatness, it means that everybody can be great, because everybody can serve. Martin Luther King, Jr. greatnessgivingmean A piece of freedom is no longer enough for human beings...unlike bread, a slice of liberty does not finish hunger. Freedom is like life. It cannot be had in installments. Freedom is indivisible--we have it all, or we are not free. Martin Luther King, Jr. pieceslibertydoe You only need a heart full of grace Martin Luther King, Jr. greatnesshelping-othersheart We have guided missiles and misguided men. Martin Luther King, Jr. warpeacescience I think the first reason that we should love our enemies, and I think this was at the very center of Jesus' thinking, is this: that hate for hate only intensifies the existence of hate and Martin Luther King, Jr. hatejesusthinking If you want to be important-wonderful. If you want to be recognized-wonderful. If you want to be great-wonderful. But recognize that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. That's a new definition of greatness. Martin Luther King, Jr. definitionsgreatnessimportant Without God, all of our efforts turn to ashes and our sunrise into the darkest of nights. Martin Luther King, Jr. sunriseeffortnight The beauty of genuine brotherhood and peace is more precious than diamonds or silver or gold. Martin Luther King, Jr. silverbrotherhoodgold It may be true that the law cannot change the heart but it can restrain the heartless. Martin Luther King, Jr. lawheartmay There is nothing more majestic than the determined courage of individuals willing to suffer and sacrifice for their freedom and dignity. Martin Luther King, Jr. majesticsacrificesuffering There is such a thing as being too late. This is no time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action. Martin Luther King, Jr. complacencyapathytoo-late Forgiveness is not an occasional act. It is a permanent attitude. That which I was not but could have been. That which I would have done but did not do. Can I find the fortitude to remember in truth,to understand, to submit, to forgive and to be free to move on in time? Martin Luther King, Jr. forgivenessattitudemoving There is no sound more powerful than the marching feet of a determined people. Martin Luther King, Jr. powerfulfeetpeople I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" - one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers. Martin Luther King, Jr. girlbrotherdream
