John Lewis

"I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism."

"My friends, we have work to do."

"Forgiveness is not an occasional act, it is a constant attitude."

"Every nation must now develop an overriding loyalty to mankind as a whole."

"The function of education is to create the whole man, not the narrow specialist."

"When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution, they were signing a promissory note."

"We cannot walk alone."

"Men often hate each other because they fear each other."

"I believe that truth is on the side of freedom and justice."

"Cowardice asks the question, is it safe? Expediency asks, is it politic? Vanity asks, is it popular? But conscience asks, is it right?"

"As long as there is poverty in the world, I can never be rich, even if I have a billion dollars."

"Let us work toward a world where there is genuine brotherhood and sisterhood among all people."

"Every man is my brother."

"I believe we are going to win, not because I am optimistic about human nature but because I am convinced that the truth is on our side."

"Our generation has altered the course of history with our protest."

"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 use time creatively, and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right."

"I come to the conclusion that I must do what I consider to be right regardless of what others may think."

"In any nonviolent campaign there are four basic steps: collection of the facts to determine whether injustices exist; negotiation; self-purification; and direct action."

"Just as it is harassing and demoralizing to be constantly harassed, it is strengthening to be constantly affirmed."

"We are challenged to rise up and live out the true meaning of our creed."

"I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality."

"My role is not to make the world perfect, but to make it better."

"Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred."

"The road to freedom is a road of discipline, sacrifice, and a strong will."

"The Negro will only be free when he reaches down to the inner depths of his own being and signs with the pen and ink of assertive selfhood his own emancipation proclamation."

"I cannot in good conscience obey unjust laws or the unjust enforcement of just laws."

"A man who won't fight for something is not much of a man."

"If physical death is the price that I must pay to free my white brothers and sisters from the endless psychological slavery of segregation, then nothing could be more redemptive."

"I have found that life exerts its greatest pull in the simple moments of being."