Who Said This?

€�The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil it multiplies it. Through violence you may murder the liar, but you cannot murder the lie, nor establish the truth.”

€�Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

€�I feel like a man who has been asleep somewhat and under someone else’s control. I feel that what I’m thinking and saying is now for myself. Before, it was for and by the guidance of Elijah Muhammad. Now I think with my own mind, sir!”

€�Brothers, the white man can’t give you the solution. You will never get the solution from any white liberal. Don’t let them come in and tell you what we should do to solve the problem. Those days are over. They can’t do it and they won’t do it.”

€�Concerning nonviolence, it is criminal to teach a man not to defend himself when he is the constant victim of brutal attacks.”

€�I say to you today, even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

€�It is dangerous to organize a movement around self-defense. The line separating defensive violence and aggressive violence is very thin. The minute a program of violence is enunciated, even for self-defense, the atmosphere is filled with talk of violence, and the words falling on many ears may be interpreted as an invitation for aggression.”

€�We assert in those areas where the government is either unable or unwilling to protect the lives and property of our people that our people are within their rights to protect themselves by whatever means necessary.

€�Since self-preservation is the first law of nature, we assert the Afro-American’s right of self-defense. The Constitution of the United States clearly affirms the right of every American citizen to bear arms, and as Americans we will not give up a single guaranteed right under the Constitution.”

€�Tactics based solely on morality can only succeed when you are dealing with basically moral people or a moral system. A man or system which opposes a man because of the color of his skin is not moral.”