The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr

is an excellent book edited by Clayborne Carson (isbn 978-0-349-11298-5). As usual I'm going to quote from a few pages:

I became convinced that noncooperation with evil is as much a moral obligation as is cooperation with good.

Capitalism is always in danger of inspiring men to be more concerned with making a living than making a life.

Gandhi resisted evil eight as much vigour and power as the violent resister, but he resisted with love instead of hate.

We'd better decide now if we are going to be fearless men or scared boys.

I realised that this speech had evoked more response than any speech or sermon I had ever delivered, and yet it was virtually unprepared. I came to see for the first time what the older preachers meant when they said, "Open your mouth and God will speak for you."

We came to see that, in the long run, it is more honourable to walk in dignity than ride in humiliation.

Gandhi was able to mobilise and galvanise more people in his lifetime than any other person in the history of this world.

A tender heart and a tough mind.

Justice too long delayed is justice denied.

A social movement that only moves people is merely a revolt. A movement that changes both people and institutions is a revolution.

It is a climate where men cannot disagree without being disagreeable.

The ultimate test of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and moments of convenience, but where he stands in moments of challenge and moments of controversy.

Accordingly, each situation has to be studied in detail;… Nevertheless, we had to begin a march without knowing when or where it would actually terminate.

I refuse to determine what is right by taking a Gallop poll of the trends of the time… Ultimately a genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.