Black History · Educational · Inspirational ·

25 Martin Luther King, Jr. Quotes To Inspire Students

Inspiring Wall Display Shown on A School Wall During Black History Month that reads: Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of a true education. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Ever since we began offering educational wall displays and decals for school and classroom walls, we have had many requests for inspiring quotes by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. They were requested not just for his birthday celebration on Jan 15th, but as wall displays during Black History Month which is celebrated widely in schools during the month of February. His inspiring actions, and thought-provoking quotes, are an important part of studying Dr. King’s legacy. Below, I will share some of our favorite Martin Luther King Jr. quotes for classroom and school walls.

25 Best MLK Quotes For School & Classroom Decor and Black History Month Wall Displays

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (January 15th) is by far the biggest day for examining his legacy and utilizing his quotes in a classroom discussion. However, just two weeks after his birthday marks the beginning of Black History Month (February), where the discussion can continue, and the quotes below can be used widely to honor his legacy, and inspire students. 

  1. "The time is always right to do what is right." 

    Black wall decal that reads: The time is always right to do what is right. Martin Luther King. Jr. - A Simple Stencil display on a school classroom wall to inspire students.

  2. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

    Large dark green wall decal displayed on a school classroom wall that reads: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

  3. “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

     
    A large Simple Stencil wall display on a school hallway wall to inspire students during Black History Month reads: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

  4. “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase."  

    Black vinyl wall decal by The Simple Stencil shown displayed at the top of a school stairway that reads: “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase." Martin Luther King, Jr.

  5. "Only in the darkness can you see the stars."

    A removable vinyl wall decal shown in white on a beige wall that reads: "Only in the darkness can you see the stars." Martin Luther King Jr.

  6. “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” 

    A large Black History Month wall display using a Simple Stencil removable decal that reads: “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

  7. “Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education.” 

    An inspiring classroom wall decal displayed to inspire students in American History class that reads: “Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

  8. “If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl. But whatever you do, you have to keep moving.” 

    Inspiring wall decal displayed in a School Administrator's office that reads: “If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl. But whatever you do, you have to keep moving.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

  9. Let's build bridges, not walls. 

    Large wall decal display in black of the words by Martin Luther King Jr. that read: Let's build bridges, not walls.

  10. "Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it."  

    A pretty wall decal display in white on a beige wall highlighted with overhead lights that reads: "Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it." Martin Luther King, Jr.

  11. I have decided to stick with LOVE, hate is too great a burden to bear. 

    A large wall decal display shown on a wall with a lamp illuminating the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that read: I have decided to stick with LOVE, hate is too great a burden to bear.

  12. "Use me, God. Show me how to take who I am, who I want to be, and what I can do, and use it for a purpose greater than myself." 

    An inspiring wall quote decal used on the walls of a religious based school wall during Black History Month reads: "Use me, God. Show me how to take who I am, who I want to be, and what I can do, and use it for a purpose greater than myself." Martin Luther King, Jr.
  13. "There is no such thing as separate but equal. Separation, segregation, inevitably makes for inequality.”

  14. “Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?"

  15. “The time is always ripe to do right.”

  16. “Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a constant attitude.”

  17. “Real appreciation must flow from the deep seas of the heart.”

  18. “So even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream.”

  19. “Everybody can be great because everybody can serve.”

  20. “Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy to a friend.”

  21. Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. -Martin Luther King Jr.

  22. “There is nothing more majestic and sublime than the quiet testimony of a people willing to sacrifice and suffer for the cause of freedom.”

  23. "We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now." -Martin Luther King Jr.

  24. “Find a voice in a whisper.”

  25. “If you are seeking the highest good, I think you can find it through love.”

I hope you were inspired by some of the best Martin Luther King, Jr. quotes we have compiled over the years for educational purposes. Each of these quotes has been used in a school classroom as part of the curriculum or as inspiring decor for a History classrooms or as Hallway displays during Black History Month (Feb.). 

If you know of another inspiring quote by Dr. King, that you feel would be useful in classrooms and school environments, please share it with us below. You may also contact us to have any of these quotes designed into easy to install decals. Our wall decals are 100% removable which makes them an easy and affordable solution for decorating walls during Black History Month or any day of the year.

Find a large collection of inspiring quotes by other black leaders in history here.

An important thing to consider: In recent years, there’s been an increasing conversation around the tendency to focus on the inspiring quotes by Dr. King, rather than discussions of some of his radical work. It can be helpful to introduce the quotes below as part of a broader context and examination of Martin Luther King’s life. We encourage you to read more about how to use MLK quotes in the classroom, in a responsible and enlightening way.

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