Malcolm X Quotes

There is no better than adversity. Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve your performance the next time.

Malcolm X

You're not supposed to be so blind with patriotism that you can't face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who says it.

Malcolm X (Quoted in By Any Means Necessary, 1970)

I don't even call it violence when it's in self defense; I call it intelligence.

Malcolm X

You can't legislate good will - that comes through education.

Malcolm X

You don't have to be a man to fight for freedom. All you have to do is to be an intelligent human being. 

Malcolm X (Speech in Harlem, 1964)

We declare our right on this earth...to be a human being, to be respected as a human being, to be given the rights of a human being in this society, on this earth, in this day, which we intend to bring into existence by any means necessary.

Malcolm X (Quoted in By Any Means Necessary, 1970)

Once you change your philosophy, you change your thought pattern. Once you change your thought pattern, you change your — your attitude. Once you change your attitude, it changes your behavior pattern and then you go on into some action.

Malcolm X (The Ballot or the Bullet, 1964)

Usually when people are sad, they don't do anything. They just cry over their condition. But when they get angry, they bring about a change.

Malcolm X (Malcolm X Speaks: Selected Speeches and Statements, 1965)

Children have a lesson adults should learn, to not be ashamed of failing, but to get up and try again. Most of us adults are so afraid, so cautious, so 'safe,' and therefore so shrinking and rigid and afraid that it is why so many humans fail. Most middle-aged adults have resigned themselves to failure.

Malcolm X (The Autobiography of Malcolm X)

Without education, you are not going anywhere in this world. 

Malcolm X (Quoted in By Any Means Necessary, 1970)

Be peaceful, be courteous, obey the law, respect everyone; but if someone puts his hand on you, send him to the cemetery.

Malcolm X (Malcolm X Speaks: Selected Speeches and Statements, 1965)

I'm for truth, no matter who tells it. I'm for justice, no matter who it's for or against. 

Malcolm X (The Autobiography of Malcolm X)

People don't realize how a man's whole life can be changed by one book.

Malcolm X (The Autobiography of Malcolm X)

Power in defense of freedom is greater than power in behalf of tyranny and oppression. 

Malcolm X

You show me a capitalist, and I'll show you a bloodsucker. 

Malcolm X (Quoted in The Death and Life of Malcolm X, 1979)

I believe in a religion that believes in freedom. Any time I have to accept a religion that won't let me fight a battle for my people, I say to hell with that religion.

Malcolm X (Quoted in Malcolm X: A Historical Reader, 2008)

The greatest mistake of the movement has been trying to organize a sleeping people around specific goals. You have to wake the people up first, then you'll get action.

Malcolm X (Malcolm X Speaks: Selected Speeches and Statements, 1965)

A wise man can play the part of a clown, but a clown can't play the part of a wise man.

Malcolm X

You can't separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom.

Malcolm X (Speech in New York City, 1965)

Stumbling is not falling. 

Malcolm X

Truth is on the side of the oppressed. 

Malcolm X (Two Speeches, 1969)

In all our deeds, the proper value and respect for time determines success or failure. 

Malcolm X (The Autobiography of Malcolm X)

The ability to read awoke inside of me some long dormant craving to be mentally alive.

Malcolm X (The Autobiography of Malcolm X)

I believe in human beings, and that all human beings should be respected as such, regardless of their color. 

Malcolm X (Quoted in X: A Biography of Malcolm X, 2011)

Nonviolence is fine as long as it works. 

Malcolm X

Early in life I had learned that if you want something, you had better make some noise.

Malcolm X (The Autobiography of Malcolm X)

I believe in the brotherhood of man, all men, but I don't believe in brotherhood with anybody who doesn't want brotherhood with me. I believe in treating people right, but I'm not going to waste my time trying to treat somebody right who doesn't know how to return the treatment.

Malcolm X (Speech in New York City, 1964)

The future belongs to those who prepare for it today. 

Malcolm X (Quoted in X: A Biography of Malcolm X, 2011)

Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today. 

Malcolm X (Quoted in X: A Biography of Malcolm X, 2011)

Nobody can give you freedom. Nobody can give you equality or justice or anything. If you're a man, you take it.

Malcolm X (Malcolm X Speaks: Selected Speeches and Statements, 1965)

Why am I as I am? To understand that of any person, his whole life, from 
Birth must be reviewed. All of our experiences fuse into our personality. Everything that ever happened to us is an ingredient.

Malcolm X (The Autobiography of Malcolm X)

Anytime you see someone more successful than you are, they are doing something you aren't.

Malcolm X (The Autobiography of Malcolm X)

It is only after slavery and prison that the sweetest appreciation of freedom can come.

Malcolm X (The Autobiography of Malcolm X)

We need more light about each other. Light creates understanding, understanding creates love, love creates patience, and patience creates unity.

Malcolm X

Malcolm X Biography

Born: May 19, 1925
Died: February 21, 1965

Malcolm Little, also known as Malcolm X was an African-American activist and public speaker. He was greatly admired and had a strong following during his time for his advocacy for African-American rights.