Sufficient to have stood, though free to fall.

I'm old enough and cranky enough now that if someone tried to tell me what to do, I'd tell them where to put it.

Psychological freedom, a firm sense of self-esteem, is the most powerful weapon against the long night of physical slavery.

Before complaining that you are a slave to another, be sure that you are not a slave to self. Look within;...You will find there, perchance, slavish thoughts, slavish desires, and in your daily life and conduct slavish habits. Conquer these; cease to be a slave to self, and no man will have the power to enslave you.

Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can't ride you unless your back is bent.

The only certain freedom's in departure.

How much does free cost?

Freedom is not being a slave to any circumstance, to any constraint, to any chance; it means compelling Fortune to enter the lists on equal terms.

Freedom suppressed and again regained bites with deeper fangs than freedom never endangered

Oppressed people cannot remain oppressed forever.

If the cruelties of slavery could not stop us, the opposition we now face will surely fail. Because the goal of America is freedom, abused and scorned tho' we may be, our destiny is tied up with America's destiny.

I know I got it made while the masses of black people are catchin' hell, but as long as they ain't free, I ain't free.