"I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality... I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word."
"We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope."
"It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me, but it can keep him from lynching me, and I think that's pretty important."
"The quality, not the longevity, of one's life is what is important."
"We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies."
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."