I consider myself neither legally nor morally bound to obey the laws made by a body in which I have no representation.

When you understand your obligations to God then you can understand your obligations to society.

I say violence is necessary. It is as American as cherry pie.

Individuals do not create rebellions; conditions do.

Everybody in the black community must organize, and then we decide whether we will have alliance with other people or not, but not until we are organized.

The man does not beat your head because you got a Cadillac or because you got a Ford; he beats you because you're black!

This is a very unforgiving country when you show this country its warts, when you hold the mirror up. If you happen not to share their beliefs, they'll kill you.

Being a man is the continuing battle for one's life. One loses a bit of manhood with every stale compromise to the authority of any power in which one does not believe.

There's no such thing as second class citizenship. That's like telling me you can be a little bit pregnant.

See, it's no in between: you're either free or you're a slave.

The poverty program was not designed to eliminate poverty.

Are you sure/That we are awake? It seems to me/That yet we sleep, we dream

Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light.

Men are created different; they lose their social freedom and their individual autonomy in seeking to become like each other.

Villains fear me because I am unpredictable and broccoli. See what I mean?

Canada is so far away it hardly exists.

Be yourself and look outside of yourself.

It feels to me like everyone is going to do their best work when they feel emotionally safe.

God is at work in the mess. That's the message of the Bible. That's why the Bible is not pretty. That's why it's grimy, because God is working in the mess. He's working in the tears.

I've had a good life. Enough happiness, enough success.

We could not be happier.