The late John Lewis devoted his life to the cause of civil rights. Just as Lewis was inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, his words have inspired others to work for equality and justice.
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The late John Lewis, inspired by his association with Dr. Martin Luther King, devoted his life to the cause of civil rights. Just as Lewis was inspired by Dr. King, his words have for decades inspired others to work for equality and justice.
1 of 10 You Are the Light
“You are a light. You are the light. Never let anyone—any person or any force—dampen, dim or diminish your light … Release the need to hate, to harbor division, and the enticement of revenge. Release all bitterness. Hold only love, only peace in your heart, knowing that the battle of good to overcome evil is already won.”—John Lewis, from Across That Bridge: A Vision for Change and the Future of America
2 of 10 Be Hopeful
“Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.”—John Lewis
“At a very early stage of the movement, I accepted the teaching of Jesus, the way of love, the way of nonviolence, the spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation. The idea of hate is too heavy a burden to bear. It’s better to love.”—John Lewis, 2004 PBS interview
4 of 10 We're One People
“We have to believe that we’re one people, one family. And we cannot turn against each other. We have to turn to each other.”—John Lewis, 2018 National Geographic interview
5 of 10 Have Courage
“You cannot be afraid to speak up and speak out for what you believe. You have to have courage, raw courage.”—John Lewis, on Twitter
6 of 10 Get in Good Trouble
“Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America.”—John Lewis, speaking from the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, on March 1, 2020
7 of 10 Lay Down the Burden of Hate
“I was beaten, left bloody and unconscious. But I never became bitter or hostile, never gave up. I believe that somehow and some way, if it becomes necessary to use our bodies to help redeem the soul of a nation, then we must do it. Create a society at peace with itself, and lay down the burden of hate and division.”—John Lewis, from a June 2020 interview with Gayle King
“Sometimes you have to not just dream about what could be—you get out and push, and you pull, and you preach. And you create a climate and environment to get those in high places, to get men and women of goodwill in power to act.”—John Lewis, interview with Bill Moyers
9 of 10 Inspired by Faith
“Many of us that got caught up and involved in the civil rights movement saw our involvement as an extension of our faith… Without our faith, without the spirit and spiritual bearings and underpinning, we would not have been so successful. Without prayer, without faith in the Almighty, the civil rights movement would have been like a bird without wings.”—John Lewis, 2004 PBS interview
10 of 10 The Power to Make a Difference
“Nothing can stop the power of a committed and determined people to make a difference in our society. Why? Because human beings are the most dynamic link to the divine on this planet.”―John Lewis, from Across That Bridge: Life Lessons and a Vision for Change
