“Never separate the life you lead from the words you speak.”

“I saw as a teacher how, if you take that spark of learning that those children have, and you ignite it, you can take a child from any background to a lifetime of creativity and accomplishment.”

“If a teacher does not involve himself, his values, his commitments, in the course of discussion, why should the students?”

“Politics is not about power.”

“I emphasize self-esteem, self-confidence, and dignity, not as an ideal, but as a real test of community organization. Without leadership development, community organizations do not have staying power.”

“There are three critical ingredients to democratic renewal and progressive change in America: good public policy, grassroots organizing and electoral politics.”

“When you start doubting God, remember how far you have come. Remember everything you have faced, all the battles you have won, and all the fears you have overcome by having the Lord in your life.”

“Live is not about constantly fighting to keep someone in your life. It is about constantly fighting for a better life together.”

“Ideas and not battles mark the forward progress of mankind.”

“The two ideas, justice and vocation, are inseparable.... It is by way of the principle and practice of vocation that sanctity and reverence enter into the human economy. It was thus possible for tr...”

“There can be no deep disappointment where there is not deep love.”

“Never forget that justice is what love looks like in public.”