Quotes about Inspiration

I recalled a sermon by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., called "The Drum Major Instinct." In it, he talks about how, deep down, we all want to be first, celebrated for our greatness; we all want "to lead the parade." He goes on to point out that such selfish impulses can be reconciled by aligning that quest for greatness with more selfless aims. You can strive to be first in service, first in love.

We are a people of improbable hope.

You have the ability and gifts to do whatever you want. It is your turn now to change the world. Yes we can!

O, fly and never tire, Fly and never tire, Fly and never tire, There's a great camp-meeting in the Promised Land. —FROM AN AFRICAN AMERICAN SPIRITUAL

And so the moment we persuade a child, any child, to cross that threshold into a library, we've changed their lives forever, and for the better. This is an enormous force for good.

As she spoke, her voice never wavered; it was the voice of someone who has forced a larger meaning out of tragedy. Or

More than anyone, this book is for those young people—an invitation to once again remake the world, and to bring about, through hard work, determination, and a big dose of imagination, an America that finally aligns with all that is best in us.

And I say to you today that we need more folks in this country who are a good crazy….You can't tell what will happen when you get folks with some good crazy…going to the polls to vote!

The audacity of hope! I still remember my grandmother, singing in the house, 'There's a bright side somewhere Ãƒ¢Ã¢'¬Ã‚¦ don't rest till you find it Ãƒ¢Ã¢'¬Ã‚¦.'" "That's right!" "The audacity of hope!

A change happens because ordinary people do extraordinary things.

We did not come here to fear the future. We came here to shape it.

Leadership isn't just legislation, that it's a matter of persuading people and giving them confidence, and bringing them together and setting a tone.