“Nelson Mandela sat in a South African prison for 27 years. He was nonviolent. He negotiated his way out of jail. His honor and suffering of 27 years in a South African prison is really ultimately what brought about the freedom of South Africa. That is nonviolence.”

Isn’t it strange how the leaders of nations can talk so eloquently about peace while they prepare for war? … There is no way to make peace while preparing for war.

People have to allow themselves to be used by God and Martin [Luther King, Jr.] committed himself totally to God’s will and purpose and God is always waiting for someone who is willing to do that.

I think if people really read Martin Luther King, Jr., then they would begin to understand what he really represented. The philosophy that he developed, of course, he was greatly influenced by Gandhi and Jesus Christ.

An evil deed is not redeemed by an evil deed in retaliation.

I believe all Americans who believe in freedom, tolerance and human rights have a responsibility to oppose bigotry and prejudice based on sexual orientation.

The process of nonviolence is one that takes time and those of us who’ve suffered, who’ve been persecuted over the years, would like to see things change, you know, overnight.

It doesn’t matter how strong your opinions are. If you don’t use your power for positive change, you are, indeed, part of the problem.

People need role models. They need to see examples of people in peoples’ lives.

The greatest violence is seeing a child go to bed hungry.

To really know someone is to have loved and hated him in turn.

How many must die before we can really have a free and true and peaceful society?

The more visible signs of protest are gone, but I think there is a realization that the tactics of the late sixties are not sufficient to meet the challenges of the seventies.

When you are willing to make sacrifices for a great cause, you will never be alone.

We must eliminate the gulf of mistrust and ignorance that keeps us from learning from each other.

I am convinced that the women of the world, united without any regard for national or racial dimensions, can become a most powerful force for international peace and brotherhood.

The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.

The way you make an omelet reveals your character.

What you have done to me shows your character how I loved you regardless shows mine.

Maybe we become what we write about.

I’m more of a tough love type of person.

I will never say something I don’t agree with or believe in, even if the reward is massive!

Who we are in the present includes who we were in the past.

I know I may have done some bad things, but I’m not a bad person.

Authority, power, and wealth do not change a man; they only reveal him