We who engage in nonviolent direct action are not the creators of tension. We merely bring to the surface the hidden tension that is already alive.

—Martin Luther King Jr.

civil disobedience nonviolence tension

About Martin Luther King Jr.

Portrait of Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. (born Michael King Jr.; January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an American civil rights activist and Baptist minister who was a prominent leader of the civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968. He advanced civil rights in the United States through...

More quotations from Martin Luther King Jr.

We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.

—Martin Luther King Jr.

The good neighbor looks beyond the external accidents and discerns those inner qualities that make all men human and, therefore, brothers.

—Martin Luther King Jr.

Faith is taking the first step, even when you don't see the whole staircase.

—Martin Luther King Jr.

Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars… Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.

—Martin Luther King Jr.

We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.

—Martin Luther King Jr.

More quotations tagged with “nonviolence”

Gandhi once declared that it was his wife who unwittingly taught him the effectiveness of nonviolence. Who better than women should know that battles can be won without resorting to physical strength?

—Barbara Deming

strength nonviolence women

Nonviolence means avoiding not only external physical violence but also internal violence of spirit. You not only refuse to shoot a man, but you refuse to hate him.

—Martin Luther King Jr.

hate spirit nonviolence violence

Nonviolence doesn't always work—but violence never does.

—Madge Micheels-Cyrus

work nonviolence violence

Nonviolence is not some exalted regimen that can be practiced only by a monk or a master; it also pertains to the way one interacts with a child, vacuums a carpet, or waits in line.… Whenever we separate ourselves from a given situation (for example, through inattentiveness, negative judgments, or impatience), we "kill" something valuable:… people, things, one's own composure, the moment itself.… These small-scale incidences of violence accumulate relentlessly, are multiplied on a social level, and become a source of the large-scale violence that can sweep down upon us so suddenly.… One need not wait until war is declared and bullets are flying to work for peace.… A more constant and equally urgent battle must be waged each day against the forces of one's own anger, carelessness, and self-absorption.

—Kenneth Kraft

patience nonviolence moment anger practice

The nonviolent approach does not immediately change the heart of the oppressor. It first does something to the hearts and souls of those committed to it. It gives them new self-respect; it calls up resources of strength and courage that they did not know they had. Finally it reaches the opponent and so stirs his conscience that reconciliation becomes a reality.

—Martin Luther King Jr.

strength hearts change conscience respect nonviolence courage oppression self-respect

History

4 May 2013 Added