Agape is disinterested love. . . . Agape does not begin by discriminating between worthy and unworthy people or any qualities people possess. It begins by loving others for their sakes. . . . Therefore, agape makes no distinction between friend and enemy it is directed toward both.

— Martin Luther King

A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.

— Martin Luther King

All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.

— Martin Luther King

Any religion that professes to be concerned about the souls of men and is not concerned about the slums that damn them, the economic conditions that strangle them and the social conditions that cripple them is a spiritually moribund religion awaiting burial.

— Martin Luther King

At the center of non-violence stands the principle of love.

— Martin Luther King

Capitalism does not permit an even flow of economic resources. With this system, a small privileged few are rich beyond conscience, and almost all others are doomed to be poor at some level. That's the way the system works. And since we know that the system will not change the rules, we are going to have to change the system.

— Martin Luther King

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.

— Martin Luther King

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

— Martin Luther King

Discrimination is a hellhound that gnaws at Negroes in every waking moment of their lives to remind them that the lie of their inferiority is accepted as truth in the society dominating them.

— Martin Luther King

Don't hate it's too big a burden to bear.

— Martin Luther King