Martin Luther King Jr 95th Birth Anniversary: 10 Inspirational Quotes by Civil Rights Champion

About a century ago, on January 15, 1929, a legend was born on American soil, who changed the course of history forever. Martin Luther King Jr., one of the greatest civil rights activists, fought tirelessly for people of colour in the United States. Like Mahatma Gandhi, he used non-violent resistance and civil disobedience to ensure his voice was heard. His historic ‘I have a dream’ speech in Washington, in 1963, helped implement the Civil Rights Act of 1964, prohibiting discrimination.

Martin Luther King Jr was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. The celebrated activist breathed his last on April 4, 1968.

This year marks the 95th birth anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr. and on the occasion, below are some inspiring quotes by the iconic personality.

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

2. “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.”

3. “There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because conscience tells him it is right.”

4. “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.”

5. ”I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character.”

6. “Those who are not looking for happiness are the most likely to find it, because those who are searching forget that the surest way to be happy is to seek happiness for others.”

7. “No work is insignificant. All labour that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.”

8. “I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.”

9. “One has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.”

10. “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.”