Words That Move Mountains: Inspiring Quotes From Activists Throughout History

1. “The time is always right to do what is right.” – Harvey Milk (Activist for LGBTQ+ rights)

This quote emphasizes that fighting for justice shouldn’t wait for perfect circumstances.

2. “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” – Martin Luther King Jr. (Civil Rights Activist)

Silence in the face of injustice allows it to continue. This quote calls for speaking out against wrongs.

3. “The revolution is not a one-time event. It is a permanent process.” – Angela Davis (Activist for racial equality and social justice)

Change is ongoing, and fighting for a better world requires constant effort.

4. “Hope is a verb, with its sleeves rolled up in confidence.” – Audre Lorde (Activist for LGBTQ+ rights, feminism, and racial equality)

Hope is not passive; it requires action and belief in the possibility of change.

5. “None are free until all are free.” – Emma Goldman (Anarchist and activist for social change)

True freedom is interconnected – one person’s oppression limits everyone’s liberty.

6. “Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd.” – Voltaire (Philosopher, writer, and advocate for freedom of speech)

Activism often involves questioning the status quo and remaining open to new ideas.

7. “You can’t just sit there and wait for people to give you your freedom. You have to take it.” – Angela Y. Davis (Activist for racial equality)

This quote highlights the importance of actively pursuing liberation and justice.

8. “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt (Activist for human rights and social justice)

Activism requires hope and a vision for a better future.

9. “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” – Barack Obama (Former US President and advocate for social change)

This quote emphasizes individual and collective responsibility for creating a more just world.

10. “The revolution is not an apple that falls when it is ripe. You have to make it fall.” – Che Guevara (Revolutionary and advocate for social justice)

Change requires active participation and struggle, not passivity.

11. “Justice is what love looks like in public.” – Dr. Cornel West (Activist for racial justice and social change)

Justice is more than just a personal feeling; it requires action to create a more equitable society.

12. “We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.” – Maya Angelou (Activist, writer, and advocate for civil rights)

Setbacks are inevitable, but this quote reminds us to keep fighting for what’s right.

13. “The question is not if we will get tired, but whether we will become discouraged.” – James Baldwin (Writer and activist for civil rights)

Discouragement can be a bigger obstacle than fatigue. This quote encourages perseverance through challenges.

14. “A riot is the language of the unheard.” – Martin Luther King Jr. (Civil Rights Activist)

This quote highlights the reasons behind unrest and the need to address the voices of the marginalized.

15. “We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.” – Malala Yousafzai (Activist for female education)

True progress requires everyone to have an equal chance to succeed.