I won’t quarrel with my bread and butter.

Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.

If we could read the secret history of our enemies, we should find in each man’s life sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all hostility.

If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen.

We can disagree and still love each other unless your disagreement is rooted in my oppression and denial of my humanity and right to exist.

If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace, and this single reflection, well applied, is sufficient to awaken every man to duty.

Let no man pull you so low as to hate him.

You may shoot me with your words, you may cut me with your eyes, you may kill me with your hatefulness, but still, like air, I'll rise.

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.

Beware of allowing a tactless word, a rebuttal, a rejection to obliterate the whole sky.

Religion is a great force—the only real motive force in the world; but what you fellows don't understand is that you must get a man through his own religion and not through yours.

No amount of evidence will ever persuade an idiot.

But all my life through, the very insistence on truth has taught me to appreciate the beauty of compromise.

One who believes in himself has no need to convince others.