“Nelson Mandela, a better man, not a bitter man, made our world a better place in which to live. His life and leadership exemplify the highest courage, dignity, and dedication to human liberation.”

When I speak, I want to ensure that there is at least one person in the audience who leaves the room transformed.

My mother made countless sacrifices so that her children – and all children – could grow up in a better nation and world.

The private sector enjoys tremendous freedom in the U.S, as it should. With freedom, however, comes responsibilities.

My father provided some very important guidance in how we deal with conflict and polarization.

I don’t know if you realize this, but anger is anger. It has no mind. It has no rationality. It’s mad, and it just wants to destroy.

Nonviolence will empower and equip us to bring generations to the table and fuse our knowledge, gifts, and zeal together.

Some people feel like I’m arrogant. It’s unfortunate, because people don’t know my heart.

Refuse to be disheartened, discouraged, distracted from your goals in life.

Continue to speak out against all forms of injustice to yourselves and others, and you will set a mighty example for your children and for future generations.

We must rediscover our faith in the future and join with one another to ensure that nonviolence is the prevalent choice for government, law enforcement, the non-profit sector, business, education, media, entertainment, arts, and for the global citizenry.

In 1985, I was arrested, along with my mother and brother, Martin III, in a protest against apartheid at the South African Embassy in Washington, D.C.

As I reflect on the legacy of my father, the greatest aspect is his legacy of peace.

It is painful beyond measure to lose a loving father and grandmother to violence.

When my father died, the money he left us would have dried up within a year were it not for my mother. We might very well have ended up on welfare.

People have labeled me homophobic. If I was homophobic, I wouldn’t have friends who are gay and lesbian, so that can’t be true.

Before my mother was a King, she was a gifted vocalist and musician, whose skill and academia garnered her a scholarship to the prestigious New England Conservatory for Music in Boston.

I just wanted to speak to the streets and give them motivation on making it out. Whatever situation they’re in, know that they can make do and have a better life.

Do unto others 20% better than you would expect them to do unto you, to correct for subjective error.

When I am happy I feel like crying, but when I am sad I don’t feel like laughing. I think it is better to be happy; then you get two feelings for the price of one.

You got to have a strong mind if you fall back. When you fall back, they going to count you out. So you got to have a strong mind and know your worth. When you come back, you’ve got to be different and even more better.

You got to want to evolve. It’s something you can practice on but it just came to me. I wasn’t really sitting there like, ‘What can I do to get better?’ It just came to me, talking to my people and my crew. They just tell me what my strongest and weakest points are at.

No one may have the guts to say this, but if we could make better human beings by knowing how to add genes, why shouldn’t we?

One who never turned his back but marched breast forward, never doubted clouds would break, Never dreamed, though right were worsted, wrong would triumph, Held we fall to rise, are baffled to fight better, sleep to wake.

If somebody’s trying to shut you up, sing louder, and if possible, better.