I don't know if I ever really get mad in real life.

Ability can take you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there

Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.

Everybody knows politics is a contact sport.

Men are rather reasoning than reasonable animals, for the most part governed by the impulse of passion.

A bad war is fought with a good mind.

Though the world applauds quick-witted retorts, My instructions about communication are quite different: Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. Ask My Spirit to help you whenever you speak.

Your emotions are nothing but biochemical storms in your brain and you are in control of them at any point in time.

Lightning makes no sound until it strikes.

We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence.

When legal contests were the sole form of activity, the ordinary Negro was involved as a passive spectator. His interest was stirred, but his energies were unemployed. Mass marches transformed the common man into the star performer and engaged him in a total commitment. Yet nonviolent resistance caused no explosions of anger—it instigated no riots—it controlled anger and released it under discipline for maximum effect.

The limitation of riots, moral questions aside, is that they cannot win and their participants know it. Hence, rioting is not revolutionary but reactionary because it invites defeat. It involves an emotional catharsis, but it must be followed by a sense of futility.