Malcolm X quotes

Malcolm X was an influential African American civil rights leader and activist. A passionate orator, he advocated for the empowerment and self-defense of Black Americans during the 1950s and 1960s. He inspired millions with his vision, and his legacy continues to impact social justice movements today. Here are 218 of his quotes:

Nobody can give you freedom. Nobody can give you equality or justice or anything. If you're a man, you take it. (Malcolm X)
Be peaceful, be courteous, obey the law, respect everyone; but if someone puts his hand on you, send him to the cemetery. View quote
Malcolm X
The future belongs to those who prepare for it today. View quote
Malcolm X
Power never takes a back step - only in the face of more power. View quote
Malcolm X
People don't realize how a man's whole life can be changed by one book. View quote
Malcolm X
You're not to be so blind with patriotism that you can't face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who does it or says it. View quote
Malcolm X
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. View quote
Malcolm X
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. View quote
Malcolm X
Time is on the side of the oppressed today, it's against the oppressor. Truth is on the side of the oppressed today, it's against the oppressor. You don't need anything else. View quote
Malcolm X
Don't be in a hurry to condemn because he doesn't do what you do or think as you think or as fast. There was a time when you didn't know what you know today. View quote
Malcolm X
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)
Hence I have no mercy or compassion in me for a society that will crush people, and then penalize them for not being able to stand up under the weight. View quote
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. View quote
Malcolm X
If violence is wrong in America, violence is wrong abroad. If it is wrong to be violent defending black women and black children and black babies and black men, then it is wrong for America to draft us, and make us violent abroad in defense of her. And if it is right for America to draft us, and teach us how to be violent in defense of her, then it is right for you and me to do whatever is necessary to defend our own people right here in this country. View quote
Malcolm X
The political philosophy of black nationalism means that the black man should control the politics and the politicians in his own community no more. View quote
Malcolm X
If you're not ready to die for it, put the word 'freedom' out of your vocabulary. View quote
Malcolm X
Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today. View quote
Malcolm X
I'm for truth, no matter who tells it. I'm for justice, no matter who it's for or against. I'm a human being first and foremost, and as such I am for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole. View quote
Malcolm X
You show me a capitalist, and I'll show you a bloodsucker. View quote
Malcolm X
The media's the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that's power. Because they control the minds of the masses. View quote
Malcolm X
If you have no critics you'll likely have no success. (Malcolm X)
This was my first lesson about gambling: if you see somebody winning all the time, he isn't gambling, he's cheating. Later on in life, if I were continuously losing in any gambling situation, I would watch very closely. View quote
Malcolm X
It is a time for martyrs now, and if I am to be one, it will be for the cause of brotherhood. That's the only thing that can save this country. View quote
Malcolm X
As I say, if we bring up religion we'll have differences; we'll have arguments; and we'll never be able to get together. View quote
Malcolm X
I believe that there will be ultimately be a clash between the oppressed and those who do the oppressing. I believe that there will be a clash between those who want freedom, justice and equality for everyone and those who want to continue the system of exploitation. I believe that there will be that kind of clash, but I don't think it will be based on the color of the skin. View quote
Malcolm X