Martin Luther King Jr. Quotes

Today we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. by honoring the civil rights leader’s birthday and legacy. He had many wonderful quotes…so going along with my quote theme…I’m posting a few of his quotes today.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington DC. April 2025

This is one of his most popular and a favorite, which goes along with my word for the year (light)…

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”

From his 1963 book Strength to Love.

One about peace and justice…

"True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice."

From his 1957 book Stride Toward Freedom.

Here’s one about not giving up…

"If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”

From his April 1960 address at Spelman College.

On the side of MLK Jr. Memorial is another quote etched into the stone. It reads “…out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope.”

And one more about love and hate…

"I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear"

From his 1963 book Strength to Love

These quotes are timeless. They ring as true today as they did when they were spoken or written. May we take them to heart.