Coretta Scott King Quotes

110 Coretta Scott King Quotes

1 2 3



[Coretta’s lifelong motto] To do my best and to make my best better.
Coretta Scott King

When you have challenges, you have to measure up to them.
Coretta Scott King

[As a student on receiving an envelope from a friend containing fifteen dollars who believed in her future when she was down to her last fifteen cents.] People and life are good.
Coretta Scott King

We cannot eradicate illiteracy and other social problems until we eradicate the scourges of militarism from the face of the earth.
Coretta Scott King

[When nearly seventy-five years old in 2002 at Bennett College] I would like to think that my years of working for peace, human rights, and a society free of racism, sexism, homophobia and all forms of bigotry have helped to make life a little better for your generation.
Coretta Scott King

[I called for all women] To unite and form a solid block of women power to fight the three great evils of racism, poverty and war.
Coretta Scott King

Be your best self.
Coretta Scott King

I am a Negro and I’m going to be a Negro the rest of my life. I just can’t let this kind of thing get me down.
Coretta Scott King

Even in this age of increasingly sophisticated electronic media, spending some quiet time with a book that inspires and uplifts the human spirit remains one of the most fulfilling of life’s pleasures.
Coretta Scott King

We are laying the foundation to train young leaders… in the tradition of Martin Luther King. When you have enough world leaders who have been exposed this way, it’ll make a difference.
Coretta Scott King



People who think non violence is easy don’t realize that it’s a spiritual discipline that requires a great deal of strength, growth, and purging of the self so that one can overcome almost any obstacle for the good of all without being concerned about one’s own welfare.
Coretta Scott King

[On noticing the anguished crowd after the funeral of her husband Martin Luther King Jr] They are the ones who need help now; it’s not real to me yet.
Coretta Scott King

We are concerned about not only the Negro poor, but the poor all over America and all over the world. Every man deserves a right to a job or an income. So that he can pursue liberty, life and happiness. Our great nation, as he [Martin Luther King Jr] often said, has the resources. But his question was ‘Do we have the will?’
Coretta Scott King

In May of 1975 there were 3,503 blacks holding elective office. In 1955 there were less than 100.
Coretta Scott King

[To President Ronald Reagan who thought she might give a softer response.] Mr. President, all is not well in our community.
Coretta Scott King

[To Martin Luther King Jr about him returning to Montgomery] I didn’t run out on you. And I want you to know that the time comes in every man’s life when there are decisions he has to make for himself and no one can make them for him. He may have to stand alone. But I want you to know that whatever you decide to do, I’ll be with you.
Coretta Scott King

[On her Montgomery experience] We were unable to predict success or failure. Faith was our guide and our future was a thing of conjecture. I am thankful that I am living in the second half of the twentieth century and that my life has been one of service and meaning. Not many people are fortunate enough to have something to which they can dedicate their lives.
Coretta Scott King

[On her father Obadiah (Obie) Scott] In 1951 he built a modest home. On the family farm he raises corn, peas,, potatoes, cotton, and other garden vegetables. He raises hogs and cows and has a chicken farm where he raises more than four thousand chickens at a time. My father can be considered a success by any American standard. He is a man who worked and built a successful life for himself, in his own community, impoverished though it is.
Coretta Scott King

My mother said I was the meanest girl. I used to fight all the time.
Coretta Scott King

[On her deciding to make an issue of the fact that she should be allowed to practice teach in public schools regardless of her race.] I did everything I could, but my classmates would not support me. They argued that ‘If we protest, all our practice teaching facilities may be taken away and none of us will get our degrees.’
Coretta Scott King



On this spot where my husband gave his life, I pledge eternal loyalty to the work he so nobly began. His legacy will lead us to the point where all God’s children have shoes.
Coretta Scott King

[On her first public speech in 1958] I felt from that experience, you know, that God had intended me to sing, but you know, I’m not sure, maybe he wants me to speak too.
Coretta Scott King

[On her husband sometimes balking at her public appearances.] Can’t you understand? You know I have an urge to serve just like you have.
Coretta Scott King

[On her belief in 1991 that Military spending was starving other areas such as education] The US is spending fifty-five cents out of every taxpayer dollar on the military, compared to just two cents for education.
Coretta Scott King

Like my husband, I strongly believe that affirmative action has merit, not only for promoting justice, but also for healing and unifying society.
Coretta Scott King

[On the Vietnam War] You cannot believe in peace at home and not believe in international peace.
Coretta Scott King

[On Martin Luther King Jr saying ‘You have everything I have ever wanted in a wife. There are only four things, and you have them all.’] I don’t see how you can say that. You don’t even know me.
Coretta Scott King

[On settling in Montgomery I started to realize] that it was an inevitable part of a greater plan for our lives. Even in 1954 I felt that my husband was being prepared, and I too, for a special role about which we would learn more later.
Coretta Scott King

[On Martin Luther King Jr being nervous about telling Coretta about his new responsibility] You know whatever you do, you have my backing.
Coretta Scott King

[On talking about her trip to India] I would have talked about the women of India had I realized how much progress they had made with the coming of Independence.
Coretta Scott King



[On Martin Luther King Jr not being found guilty] Thankful that the spirit had guided me on this occasion.
Coretta Scott King

[On ‘Why does Daddy have to go to jail?’] Your daddy is a brave and kind man. He went to Jail to help people. Some people don’t have enough to eat or comfortable homes in which to live, or enough clothing to wear. Daddy went to jail to make it possible for all people to have those things. Don’t worry, your daddy will be coming back.
Coretta Scott King

[In June 1963 Coretta telling Martin Luther King Jr that she thought this might be the right time for a March on Washington] I believe a hundred thousand people would come to the nation’s capital at your invitation.
Coretta Scott King

I think that Jesse Jackson and Operation Breadbasket have something that is needed in every community.
Coretta Scott King

[To Martin Luther King Jr] There are millions of people who have faith in you and feel that you are our best hope. I believe in you, if that means anything.
Coretta Scott King

[On Bunny asking ‘Where’s Daddy?’] Daddy has gone to live with God, and he won’t be coming back.
Coretta Scott King

[On Yoki [Yolanda] asking ‘Should I hate the man who killed my Daddy?’] No darling, your Daddy wouldn’t want you to do that.
Coretta Scott King

[On continuing her husband’s work] to make all people truly free.
Coretta Scott King

Martin was leading one of the greatest marches ever held.
Coretta Scott King

[On how she felt studying at Antioch] I was so inhibited… it seemed that I had retained nothing from my previous twelve years of school. I had to adjust… to a whole new economic, social, and cultural pattern. My previous study habits just would not suffice… I found myself baffled when asked to make comments in ordinary conversations.
Coretta Scott King



1 2 3


Return from Coretta Scott King Quotes to Quoteswise.com