Through violence you may murder the liar, but you cannot murder the lie, nor establish the truth. Through violence you may murder the hater, but you do not murder hate. In fact, violence merely increases hate.… Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

About 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 “darkness”

I can tell you that the pain of living is worth it. That if you live, your life will be as full of love as it is darkness, and for every moment of pain, you'll have one of joy too.

—Emily Henry in The Love That Split the World

love living pain joy darkness

Childhood should be carefree, playing in the sun; not living a nightmare in the darkness of the soul.

—Dave Pelzer in A Child Called "It"

soul childhood darkness

Shadows cannot see themselves in the mirror of the sun.

—Evita Peron

light darkness sun shadow

As the day grew brighter, he grew dimmer, and more of his friends gathered around his bed. They took up their oars and rowed with him as far as they could.

—Carrie Fisher

friends death darkness passage

In a real dark night of the soul it is always three o'clock in the morning, day after day.

—F. Scott Fitzgerald

soul darkness dark night of the soul

History

23 Nov 2013 Added
26 Oct 2026 Wording changed

Previous wording

Through violence you may murder the liar, but you cannot murder the lie, nor establish the truth. Through violence you may murder the hater, but you do not murder hate. In fact, violence merely increases hate. . . . Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.