Martin Luther King was a fascinating speaker and preacher. He has become known as one of history's most brilliant speakers, and his words have also become a part of the history of the American civil rights movement. With this in mind, this section on Martin Luther King would hardly be complete without a small selection of his most important speeches. They are also ideally suited for lessons, since King was aware of the importance of keeping things clear and using accessible metaphors. This page also includes a few quotes, following our overview of this Nobel Prize Laureate's speeches.

We have chosen two of Martin Luther King's most famous speeches from an almost countless number of speeches and preaches:

You will find other speeches at the websites presented on our link list on Martin Luther King.

"I have a dream" was delivered in front of 250,000 people at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington (1963)...to the speech

His speech to mark his receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize (1964)...to the speech

Since Martin Luther King was a wonderful orator, it's worth listening to his words as well as reading them. We have provided a short excerpt for downloading from his famous "I have a dream" speech made during the march on Washington. RIGHT click on the link opposite and select "save as..."

If you succumb to the temptation of using violence in your struggle, unborn generations will be the recipients of a long and desolate night of bitterness.

We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.

If you love your enemies you will discover that at the very root of love is the power of redemption.

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

I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality.

I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality, and freedom for their spirits.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.