On this holiday of remembrance and service, I thank and honor Martin Luther King Jr. for his dream and vision for equality and for his words that continue to inspire today.  His words were about love, forgiveness, strength, courage and reminded us that we are more than our mere circumstance.  My top ten MLK quotes are:

10

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

9

 “Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.”

8

“I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.”

7

“Forgiveness is not an occasional act. It is a permanent attitude.”

6

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

5

“Never succumb to the temptation of bitterness.”

4

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

3

“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 forward.”

2

“There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because conscience tells him it is right.”

And my number 1

“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.”