“One of the sure signs of maturity is the ability to rise to the point of self criticism.”

— Martin Luther King Jr., "The Rising Tide of Racial Consciousness," National Urban League (6 September 1960)

About Martin Luther King Jr.

1929 – 1968

American Baptist minister and civil rights activist whose leadership was instrumental in the American civil rights movement. His words on justice, love, and courage endure as moral touchstones.

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

— Martin Luther King Jr.

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

— Martin Luther King Jr.

“The time is always right to do what is right.”

— Martin Luther King Jr.

“It was for this that I've been training myself, it was for this that I was practising.”

— Epictetus

“For freedom is not acquired by satisfying yourself with what you desire, but by destroying your desire.”

— Epictetus

“Ask yourself at every moment, "Is this necessary?"”

— Marcus Aurelius

“A little flesh, a little breath, and a Reason to rule all—that is myself.”

— Marcus Aurelius

“Up! mind thine own aim, and God speed the mark!”

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

“It may be called the Master Passion—the hunger for Self-Approval.”

— Mark Twain

“One of the sure signs of maturity is the ability to rise to the point of self criticism.”

About Martin Luther King Jr.

More from Martin Luther King Jr.

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