Celebrating the Life, Words and Inspiration of Martin Luther King, Jr.
More than any other American holiday, something about Martin Luther King, Jr. Day causes us to stop, think and take stock.
Don't just think about Martin Luther King, Jr. today. Think like him every day.
No question, Dr. King was a mortal man who had his moments, but for someone like me who was born after he walked the Earth, it seems he must have lived every moment in the uppermost echelons of integrity. His 24/7 work and accomplishments in the name of civil rights are inseparable from the progress of our nation, and only an otherworldly backbone of commitment can explain what he was able to do.
Although I could simply throw up my hands and concede that he was born with something I wasn’t, I’d rather return to him for guidance as often as I can. When it comes to MLK, a review of his most famous quotes is like an inspirational shot of espresso. As musical as they are mindful, the utterances of Martin Luther King, Jr. are like Einstein with their direct connection into Universal truths.
On MLK Day, SonicScoop hopes that with our actions, our writing and our own lives we can be true to – and build on — the principles of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His words are perpetual sources of motivation, clarity, rejection of the status quo, and a call to action, thought and urgency. Following are just some of our favorite quotes from this American hero:
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
“All progress is precarious, and the solution of one problem brings us face to face with another problem.”
“An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.”
“At the center of non-violence stands the principle of love.”
“Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.”
“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”
“Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable… Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.”
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, “What are you doing for others?”
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
“Seeing is not always believing.”
“The art of acceptance is the art of making someone who has just done you a small favor wish that he might have done you a greater one.”
“The quality, not the longevity, of one’s life is what is important.”
“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.”
“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”
“We must use time creatively.”
“Whatever your life’s work is, do it well. A man should do his job so well that the living, the dead, and the unborn could do it no better.”
— David Weiss